Tinubu gives appointment to ex-Nasarawa governor

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has appointed Tanko Umaru Al-Makura, the former governor of Nasarawa State, as the new Chairman of the Board of the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC).

The announcement was made on Tuesday, June 10, during the launch of a university ICT development initiative in Abuja. The event was presided over by the Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa, who formally unveiled Al-Makura’s appointment as part of ongoing reforms in Nigeria’s basic education sector.

Al-Makura, a respected entrepreneur and veteran politician, brings a wealth of experience to the UBEC board. He served as governor of Nasarawa State from 2011 to 2019 under the defunct Congress for Progressive Change (CPC), before the party merged with others to form the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Notably, he was the only CPC governor elected nationwide in the 2011 general elections.

After completing his tenure as governor, Al-Makura represented Nasarawa South in the Senate from 2019 to 2023.

Aside from his political career, Al-Makura has established himself in agricultural and industrial machinery, real estate, and the hospitality business.

As the new UBEC board chairman, he will be responsible for providing strategic oversight and policy direction for Nigeria’s Universal Basic Education programme.

His duties will involve collaborating with the executive management of the commission to formulate operational guidelines, advise the federal government on funding and development matters, work alongside state and local governments, and set minimum standards for basic education across the country.

Al-Makura takes over the position from Idris Olorunnimbe, who was appointed to the board chairmanship of

Al-Makura takes over the position from Idris Olorunnimbe, who was appointed to the board chairmanship of UBEC in March 2025.