N267bn UBEC Funds Lying Idle Across States — Executive Secretary

….N65bn Counterpart Funding Yet To Be Accessed

The Executive Secretary of the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC), Aisha Garba, has disclosed that approximately N267bn in previously released intervention funds remains unutilised across states.

Garba who was speaking in Asaba, Delta State, at the opening of the 30th Quarterly Meeting of UBEC Management with Executive Chairmen of the State Universal Basic Education Boards, also disclosed that N65bn in counterpart funding is yet to be accessed by state governments.

She said the situation underscored the urgent need for states to move beyond accessing resources to ensuring that available funds are properly planned, implemented, monitored and converted into measurable results for Nigerian children.

She revealed that while states had accessed over N177bn in UBE Matching Grants, the huge amount of idle funds showed that the challenge in basic education was no longer just about mobilisation but about utilisation and accountability.

According to her, education resources must translate into tangible improvements in schools and measurable outcomes for learners.

She urged states to strengthen collaboration with the private sector, development partners and civil society organisations, noting that the scale and complexity of the challenges confronting basic education required broader and more sustainable financing partnerships.

Garba also announced the commencement of the review of UBEC’s Ten-Year Strategic Roadmap, which is being extended to cover 2026 to 2035, saying the revised framework would align investments, strengthen implementation and respond to the changing needs of the sector.

She said the HOPE-EDU Operation presents an opportunity to strengthen the systems, institutions and capacity required to deliver sustainable improvements in basic education and called on states to ensure full readiness to participate and maximise the opportunities provided by the initiative.

The Executive Secretary further disclosed that UBEC had developed the Basic Education Action Plan Management System to transform the preparation and submission of state action plans from a largely manual process into a fully digitised system.

She said the platform would improve coordination between UBEC and the states, enhance efficiency and reduce the need for repeated physical engagements at the Commission’s headquarters.

Garba also highlighted the Whole School Approach, which is repositioning UBEC’s interventions from fragmented projects towards comprehensive school improvement.

Under the approach, investments in classrooms, water, sanitation and hygiene facilities, perimeter fencing, furniture and other essential infrastructure are brought together within selected schools to create more complete and functional learning environments.

She added that the successful conduct of the National Learning Assessment, in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Education, would provide credible evidence to guide targeted interventions, strengthen planning and improve learning outcomes.

The Special Adviser (Media and Communications) to the minister of Education, Ikharo Attah in a statement signed on Tuesday, stated that the 30th Quarterly Meeting brings together UBEC Management, Executive Chairpersons and Chairpersons of SUBEBs, education officials, development partners and other stakeholders to review progress, address shared challenges and agree on practical measures to strengthen basic education delivery nationwide.

The meeting with the themed “Repositioning Basic Education in Nigeria to Optimise Investment and Impact,” is expected to deepen collaboration between UBEC and the states, accelerate utilisation of available resources and strengthen planning, implementation and accountability across the sector.