Oyo Set To Partner UBEC, Think Equal On Social-Emotional Learning Initiative
The Oyo State Government has expressed readiness to partner with the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) and Think Equal Organisation, USA, on the implementation of a Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) initiative aimed at strengthening foundational education in the state.
The Executive Chairman of the Oyo State Universal Basic Education Board (Oyo SUBEB), Dr Nureni Aderemi Adeniran, disclosed this on Thursday, September 3, 2026, when representatives of Think Equal Organisation and officials of UBEC paid a sensitisation and engagement visit to the Board’s headquarters in Ibadan.
The initiative, tagged “Think Equal Pre-Primary and Primary Literacy Programme: A Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) Initiative,” seeks to complement conventional literacy education with skills that promote empathy, emotional intelligence, self-regulation and positive social interaction among children.
Adeniran highlighted some of the interventions undertaken by Oyo SUBEB in pre-primary education, including the training of 320 Early Childhood Care, Development and Education (ECCDE) teachers across the 33 Local Government Universal Basic Education Authorities (LGUBEAs) in the state.
He attributed the progress recorded in the state’s education sector to the administration of Governor Seyi Makinde, saying the government had sustained free and qualitative basic education, invested in school infrastructure and learner-friendly facilities, prioritised teachers’ welfare and continuous professional development, and ensured prudent deployment of UBEC/SUBEB intervention funds.
The chairman assured the visiting officials that Oyo SUBEB would critically review the implementation modalities of the initiative, including teacher professional development, classroom resources, and monitoring and evaluation frameworks, to ensure its effective integration into the state’s existing school system and curriculum.
Adeniran thanked Think Equal Organisation and UBEC for selecting Oyo State as a pilot state for the initiative, describing the development as recognition of the state’s leadership in education.
“Indeed, we are Pacesetters and we do not take this confidence for granted,” he said, expressing optimism that the engagement would produce a productive and impactful outcome.
Speaking earlier, the Zonal Director of UBEC, Mrs Beatrice Okei, said the initiative was coming at a time when UBEC, in collaboration with State Universal Basic Education Boards, had deliberately created an enabling environment for the education sector to thrive through sustained investment in basic education, teacher development, infrastructure and teachers’ welfare.
Also speaking, the Senior Manager, Africa/Middle East and Asia, Think Equal Initiative, Mr Anas Tahhan, said the training focused on the revised Learning Through Play pedagogy.
According to him, the approach is designed to enhance the holistic development of pre-primary school children while equipping teachers with innovative, inclusive and child-centred teaching strategies.
Tahhan expressed confidence that the values promoted by Think Equal would complement existing learning processes and contribute to raising “well-rounded, resilient and responsible future leaders.”
The event was attended by the Executive Secretary of Oyo SUBEB, Dr Kemi Adeosun, and other directors of the Board.
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