Abstract

This paper looked at basic education as a veritable education policy in Nigeria. The paper opines that universal basic education as an educational policy in Nigeria, if well implemented will equip the Nigerian youth with relevant social skills that will empower them economically, thereby, creating a stable and sustainable economic system in Nigeria. The paper observed the Nigerian educational system as inherited from the British colonial masters cum  missionary was said to be very bookish, very theoretical and of no relevance to the environment and needs of the youths in Nigeria. Consequently, several educational reforms had taken place after Nigeria gained independence from the British colonial masters, aimed at repositioning the Nigerian education system to meet the needs of the youths at graduation. One of such educational reforms was the Universal Basic Education programme, launched in Nigeria on the 30th of September 1999. However, the paper observed that the Universal Basic Education in Nigeria is far from actualizing its lofty objectives due to several gaps in the implementation of the policy. The paper identified amongst others, poor funding and limited manpower and infrastructure as major challenges, limiting the UBE programme from actualizing its lofty objective. Consequently, the paper recommends inter alia: deliberate concerted effort by the government, the involvement of Voluntary Agencies and Local Initiatives, Community Based and Non Governmental Organization, Foster Parenting approach by well-to do families etc., as avenues and method to effectively implement the Universal Basic Education programme to actualize its objectives and thereby empowering the Nigerian youths and consequently creating a stable economy for sustainable development in Nigeria.