In a landmark policy shift set to redefine the educational landscape of the state, the Benue State Government has officially declared free education in all government-owned public schools from Basic One to Basic Nine, reinforcing its commitment to universal access and inclusive learning.
The announcement was made on Friday, 20 February 2026, by the Executive Governor of Benue State, Hyacinth Alia, during the maiden Benue Basic Education Summit held at the College of Health Sciences, Moses Orshio Adasu University.
Governor Alia described the policy as a strategic intervention designed to remove financial barriers to foundational education and safeguard the future of Benue’s children. According to him, the decision to make education free from Basic One to Nine is rooted in the need to support poor and vulnerable families while laying a solid educational foundation for the next generation of leaders.
The Governor highlighted key milestones already achieved by his administration in the education sector, including the recruitment of over 9,700 teachers, consistent payment of salaries, and the implementation of the harmonised retirement age for teachers. These measures, he noted, are part of a broader reform agenda aimed at restoring professionalism, stability and confidence within the state’s basic education system.
Calling for collective responsibility, Governor Alia urged parents, traditional rulers, religious leaders and community stakeholders to support the enforcement of free and compulsory basic education. He stressed that the future of Benue State rests on the quality of its young population and that leadership must prioritise deliberate investment in human capital development.
In furtherance of this vision, the Governor launched the “Building Rights to Access and Compulsory Education for Un-enrolled Pupils (BRACE-UP)” initiative — a structured, evidence-driven framework designed to identify, enrol and retain out-of-school children across the state. The BRACE-UP project will mobilise community leaders, parents and teachers to track enrolment patterns, create flexible learning pathways and monitor each child’s academic progression through to completion.
Governor Alia assured stakeholders that his administration would sustain catalytic funding and align policy frameworks with the provisions of the Universal Basic Education (UBE) Act, ensuring that compulsory and free basic education remains not only a policy declaration but a measurable reality.
In recognition of these efforts, the national leadership of the Nigeria Union of Teachers, led by Comrade Audu Titus Amba, conferred on the Governor the Golden Award for Education and Teacher Friendliness. The union stated that the honour reflects the tangible reforms and renewed attention to teacher welfare under the current administration.
Responding to the award, Governor Alia reaffirmed his dedication to improving teachers’ welfare, pledging to offset outstanding arrears owed to retired teachers and strengthen institutional support for the profession. In his remarks, he assured educators of his unwavering commitment, emphasising that their service to the state would never be taken for granted.
The twin announcement of free basic education and the launch of BRACE-UP marks a defining moment for Benue’s education sector — signalling a policy direction anchored on access, equity and sustainable reform.
