FCT UBEB Equips Principals and Vice Principals with Transformational Leadership Skills

In its continued drive to strengthen school leadership and enhance the quality of basic education in the Federal Capital Territory, the FCT Universal Basic Education Board (UBEB) has organized a two-day capacity-building workshop for Principals and Vice Principals of Junior Secondary Schools across the Territory. The training, themed “Enhancing the Capacity, Leadership Skills, and Efficiency of FCT UBEB Principals and Vice Principals,” was held at the Junior Secondary School, Jabi, Abuja, and drew wide participation from school administrators.

Declaring the workshop open, the Acting Executive Chairman of FCT UBEB, Dr. Alhassan Sule, expressed gratitude to God for the safe release of the abducted Principal of JSS Naharati and prayed that such an incident would never reoccur. He described the training as a significant milestone, combining both Principals and Vice Principals in one learning platform for the first time. Dr. Sule emphasized that the programme aimed to deepen administrators’ understanding of effective school management and to acquaint them with emerging trends shaping education in the FCT and Nigeria at large. He encouraged participants to pay close attention to the presentations and translate the knowledge gained into impactful leadership practices in their respective schools.

In her remarks, the Director of Junior Secondary School of the Board, Hajia Rahmatu K. Nusa, commended the Board’s management for initiating the long-awaited training, urging participants to adhere to existing rules and regulations guiding school administration. She advised them to apply the new insights gained to improve learning outcomes, while appreciating Dr. Sule, Dr. Emmanuel Shuaibu, and Malam Bashir Abubakar for their roles in making the workshop a reality.

The workshop featured a series of engaging presentations by seasoned scholars and education experts.

Delivering a paper on “Motivation: A Tool for the Achievement of Teaching and Learning in the School Environment,” Prof. Dada Sunday Matthew from the University of Abuja underscored the pivotal role of motivation in achieving educational excellence. He noted that “without motivation, even the best will fail,” and called on school leaders to cultivate a culture of motivation that fosters teamwork and goal alignment.

On “The Concept of Quality Assurance: Theories and Practice – Building Quality Culture in Schools,” Malam Yahaya Salihu Omehi, a retired Director in the Quality Assurance Department, FCT, reminded administrators that they are the chief quality evaluators of their schools. He urged them to institutionalize continuous improvement and accountability in all aspects of school management.

Speaking on “Students’ Discipline and Punishment in Schools: Legality and Implications,” Barr. Agboka Akpodiete-Omale, Head of the Legal Unit, FCT UBEB, emphasized that discipline should build, not break a child. She cautioned administrators against punitive measures devoid of purpose and advised them to always act in line with the Child Rights Act.

On the topic “ICT Compliance for Effective Leadership in School Systems,” Mrs. Tamanuwa Safiya Stephen, Deputy Director, Placement and Admission, highlighted the need for school heads to embrace digital literacy. She stressed that ICT drives efficiency, transparency, and accountability, urging Principals to be digital leaders who actively engage with technology.

Dr. Emmanuel Shuaibu, Director, Quality Assurance, lauded the Board for initiating the workshop, describing it as timely and essential for equipping administrators with practical skills to handle emerging challenges in the education sector.

Other papers included “Conflict and its Dimensions, Causes, Effects and Resolution Strategies” by Prof. A. K. Udeozor of the University of Abuja, “Stress and Stress Management for Administrators” by Dr. Franklin Napoleon of the Federal Road Safety Corps, and “Teamwork, Trust and Commitment: Ingredients for Good School Administration” presented by Dr. Ene Charles Chibuzor on behalf of Dr. Samira Jubril. The final session, “Understanding the Rudiments and Technicalities of Pension Matters,” was presented by Mr. Clement Odey from the Pension Unit, FCT UBEB, who enlightened participants on the Contributory Pension Scheme and retirement preparedness.

In his vote of thanks, Malam Bashir Abubakar, Director of Special Needs and Nomadic Education, commended the participants for their commitment to learning and urged them to ensure their pension and retirement records are up to date. He further encouraged them to cascade the knowledge acquired to teachers under their supervision.

Also speaking, the Secretary of the All Nigeria Confederation of Principals of Secondary Schools (ANCOPSS), FCT UBEB Chapter, expressed gratitude to the Board for organizing the rich and impactful workshop — the first of its kind — and pledged that the participants would apply the lessons learned to strengthen school administration and learning outcomes.

The two-day training ended on a note of renewed commitment, as the Principals and Vice Principals resolved to deploy the knowledge gained to drive excellence, accountability, and innovation in their schools across the FCT