OFFICE OF THE EXECUTIVE SECRETARY

EXECUTIVE SECRETARY'S OFFICE

The Office of the Executive Secretary comprises that of the Executive Secretary of the Commission as well as six other Units, namely: the offices of the two Deputy Executive Secretaries, Legal Unit, Internal Audit Unit, Public Relations/Protocol Unit and Special Projects Unit. The Executive Secretary who is the Chief Executive Officer of the Commission is answerable to the UBEC Governing Board and the Minister of Education. He is assisted by two Deputy Executive Secretaries each of whom heads the Technical and Services sectors of the Commission.

Functions

The functions of the Office of the Executive Secretary include:

•  Coordinating the formulation and execution of policy guidelines for the successful operation of the UBE Programme in the Federation.
•  Ensuring the receipt of block grants from Federal Government and effective allocation to States and Local Governments and other related agencies involved in the execution of the UBE Programme.
•  Inquiring into and advising the Federal Government, through the UBEC Board and the Honourable Minister of Education, on the effective funding and orderly development of basic education in Nigeria.
•  Ensuring efficient collation and preparation of periodic master plans for a balanced and coordinated development of basic education in Nigeria.
•  Ensuring effective monitoring of Federal Government inputs into the implementation of the UBE Programme.
•  Directing the systematic mobilisation and sensitisation of the general public, and partnership with communities and stakeholders in basic education.
•  Presenting periodic progress reports on the implementation of the UBE Programme to Mr. President through the Honourable Minister of Education.
•  Liaising with the Presidency and National Assembly from time to time.
•  Liaising with the Honourable Minister of Education on matters of implementation, funding and general management of the UBE Programme.
•  Sustaining cordial relationship and cooperation with SUBEBs , State Governments and other stakeholders.
•  Ensuring successful completion/commissioning of all UBE classroom projects.
•  Effective award/execution of contracts for UBE .
•  Pursuing enrolment campaigns and programme implementation to achieve UBE set objectives and goals.
•  Coordinating the sector offices of the Deputy Executive Secretaries.
•  Coordinating Legal, Internal Audit, Public Relations/Protocol and Special Project Units.

Structure

The seven Units in the office of the Executive Secretary are:

•  The Executive Secretary's office
•  The Office of the Deputy Executive Secretary (Technical)
•  The Office of the Deputy Executive Secretary (Services)
•  Internal Audit Unit
•  Legal Unit
•  Special Projects Unit
•  Public Relations and Protocol Unit.

INTERNAL AUDIT UNIT

The Internal Audit Unit is one of the Internal Control Mechanisms in the system. Its main role is to promote transparency and accountability, ensure that the various controls, financial and otherwise as established by Management are operational.

The mission of the Internal Audit Unit is to ensure compliance with Financial and Government regulations and relevant circulars. It is also to ensure adherence to Management policies, transparency and accountability.

Functions

The Internal Audit Unit performs its functions both at the Commission and the State Universal Basic Education Boards (SUBEB) levels. The Unit performs the following functions in the Commission:

•  Pre-auditing of all Payment Vouchers before payments are made.
•  Checking compliance with Financial Regulations and laid down Management Policies and Procedures.
•  Verification of Assets and Liabilities to ensure that Assets are safeguarded and Liabilities are properly incurred.
•  Vetting of staff claims and payrolls.
•  Any other assignments including investigations as may be directed by the Executive Secretary.

The Unit monitors funds disbursed to the SUBEBs under Section 9 (b) of the Universal Basic Education (UBE) Act 2004. The functions include:

•  Auditing of the financial records of the SUBEBs .
•  Examination of SUBEB financial records to check the receipts and Utilization of the Intervention Funds given to them.
•  Evaluation of the weaknesses in the Accounting System.

Any other assignments as may be directed by the Executive Secretary e.g. special investigations.

LEGAL UNIT

The Legal Unit offers interalia, the under listed services:

Functions;

•  Proffering legal advice to the Chief Executive and other Departments of the commission.
•  Attention meetings both within and outside the commission.
•  Drafting and executing legal instruments for and on behalf of the Commission.
•  Attending meetings both within and outside the Commission
•  Interpretation of laws, rules and regulations relating to the functions
of the Commission.
•  Dispute resolution and other controversies.
•  Attending to litigations pending in courts.

SPECIAL PROJECTS UNIT

The Special Projects Unit is under the office of the Executive Secretary and has the responsibility of:

•  coordinating the implementation of UBE related activities in collaboration with multi and bi-Iateral agencies, and
•  Liaising with Donor Agencies, Non-governmental Organisations and other Development Partners on matters of basic education in Nigeria. These are in keeping with the provision of UBE Act, 2004, part II, section (j) and (r).
•  Coordinates procurement activities of UBE .

The mission of the unit is to be a key facilitator of the delivery of basic education in Nigeria through collaboration with Development Partners and to ensure due process in the procurement of goods and services for Universal Basic Education Commission .

Functions

The main functions of the Unit are to:

•  Coordinate the implementation of all Development Partners' support activities in the improvement of basic education in Nigeria.
•  Coordinate and provide support by offering advice to technical officers working in the technical department to facilitate the achievement of targets.
•  Serve as a clearing house between UBEC and Development Partners.
•  Coordinates the procurement of goods and services by ensuring that due process is followed.
•  Liaise and serve as a linkage between the Federal Ministry of Education, other Ministries and Government Organisations, the World Bank and Non-governmental Organisations (NGOs) on the implementation of World Bank Assisted and other related projects for the development of basic education in Nigeria.
•  Initiate new projects or areas of support and collaboration with International Development Partners in conjunction with technical departments.
•  Ensure that all conditions, schedules, targets and standards set out for such programmes are met.
•  Arrange, coordinate and facilitate High Level Donor Coordination Meetings in the area of basic education