The Ebonyi State House of Assembly Committee on Education has expressed deep concern over the poor state of infrastructure at the State Secondary Education Board (SEB), describing the offices as dilapidated and the environment as unhygienic.
Chairman of the Committee, Hon. Aloysius Nwodo, made the observation during an oversight visit to the board’s headquarters in Abakaliki. He stressed that education remains a key driver of development and prosperity, and must be given the attention it deserves.
Hon. Nwodo, who represents Ebonyi North West Constituency, emphasized that the administration of Governor Rt. Hon. Bldr Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru has prioritized education under the “Charter of Needs” policy and is committed to upgrading standards across the state.
The visit, according to him, was aimed at assessing the board’s performance, understanding its challenges, and ensuring stronger monitoring and supervision of schools under its jurisdiction.
He directed the SEB leadership to step up its oversight of secondary schools and called for immediate measures to improve the cleanliness and condition of the board’s facilities.
Other members of the committee — Hon. Chief Godwin Abiri, Hon. Arinze Lucas Chukwu, Hon. Victor Nwoke, Hon. Steve Orji Igwe, Hon. Obinna Mbam, and Hon. Joseph Ununu — also expressed dissatisfaction over the low supervision of WAEC and NECO examinations in the state. They pledged to collaborate with the board to achieve better results through enhanced school oversight.
In her response, SEB Chairman, Mrs. Lilian Nwankwo, acknowledged the concerns raised but noted that the board had made significant progress since its reconstitution. She listed some of its achievements, including the release of staff promotions, accreditation of 220 schools for WAEC and NECO, and recent sports victories by Agba and Afikpo Technical Schools in the Milo Basketball Competition.
Despite facing infrastructural and logistical challenges, Mrs. Nwankwo assured the committee of the board’s willingness to partner with lawmakers in improving the quality of education in Ebonyi.
In a vote of thanks, a board member, Chief Lazarus Eze, appreciated the committee for the visit and appealed for the positive consideration of their requests to enhance service delivery.