EDUCATIONAL ADMINISTRATION AND THE MANAGEMENT OF UNIVERSAL BASIC EDUCATION (UBE) PROGRAMMES IN NIGERIA

This study examined the role of educational administration in the management and implementation of the Universal Basic Education (UBE) programme in Nigeria. UBE, launched in 1999, seeks to provide free, compulsory, and quality education for all children in the country. However, despite its ambitious goals, the programme has faced several challenges in its execution, including inconsistent leadership, inadequate resources, and poor policy implementation at various administrative levels. This research explores the effectiveness of leadership at the federal, state, and local levels, the impact of strategic management practices, and the role of transformational leadership in the success of UBE. Using a mixed-methods approach, data were collected through surveys, interviews, and focus group discussions with key stakeholders, including educational administrators, teachers, parents, and students. The findings suggest that leadership plays a significant role in UBE success, with federal leadership emerging as the most impactful, while state and local leadership face significant challenges. Furthermore, strategic management practices such as planning and resource allocation were found to be crucial to the programme's success, though misalignment between resources and needs remains a persistent issue. Transformational leadership was identified as a key factor in driving improvements in UBE implementation. The study concludes that strengthening leadership at all levels, improving planning processes, and addressing disparities in resource allocation are essential to the long-term success of UBE. The research offers several policy recommendations to enhance the management of the UBE programme in Nigeria.