UBEC Unlocks N100bn Trapped Education Funds For States, FCT

The Universal Basic Education Commission(UBEC) has facilitated the mobilisation of over N100bn in previously unaccessed matching grants by states and the Federal Capital Territory(FCT).

The Executive Secretary of UBEC, Hajia Aisha Garba, disclosed this on Thursday at a media luncheon with Education Correspondents in Abuja.

She described it as one of the Commission’s most significant achievements.

“These resources are now being invested in improving learning environments across the country,” she said

Garba attributed the breakthrough to reforms introduced under UBEC’s 2025 to 2031 Strategic Blueprint, which is aligned with the Renewed Hope Agenda of the Federal Government.

She said the Commission was moving beyond reforms to delivering measurable results.

She listed some of the results to include the construction of over 4,600 classrooms, renovation of more than 6,100 classrooms, provision of 2,780 toilets and 678 boreholes, and supply of over 334,000 pieces of school furniture.

“Through our partnership with State Universal Basic Education Boards, we have achieved these results.
“We have also supported the establishment of more than 2,300 Early Childhood Care Development and Education Centres, giving thousands of young children a stronger foundation for learning,” she noted.

On teachers, the UBEC boss said the Commission has invested over N20.4 bn in professional development because “no education system can rise above the quality of its teachers.”

“We are strengthening classroom practice, improving school leadership and promoting greater accountability through the Effective Schools Programme and stronger School-Based Management Committees,” she added.

Garba said UBEC is also responding to 21st century demands by expanding Digital Literacy Centres and promoting Artificial Intelligence, coding and robotics in basic schools.

“As education evolves, so must our schools. UBEC is expanding Digital Literacy Centres across the country, strengthening Smart Schools and modernising digital learning facilities,” she said.

She added that over 7.8 million instructional materials have been distributed nationwide to improve literacy and numeracy.

The Commission, she noted, is also expanding access through Open Schooling, Integrated Qur’anic and Tsangaya Education, and girl-child education programmes.

“These achievements demonstrate that UBEC is not only investing in schools but also building a stronger, more resilient and future-ready basic education system,” she said.

The UBEC boss described the media as a critical partner and called for continued collaboration.

“The media remains one of UBEC’s most important partners. Beyond informing the public, you help promote transparency, inspire accountability and bring national attention to the progress, challenges and opportunities within Nigeria’s basic education sector,” she said.

She added that education is a shared responsibility and that UBEC counts on the media to help ensure every Nigerian child has access to quality basic education.

“Government can provide leadership and resources, but lasting transformation requires the collective commitment of communities, teachers, parents, development partners and the media,” she said.

Also speaking, Chairman of the Education Correspondents Association of Nigeria (ECAN) Chuks Ukwatu, commended UBEC for convening its first direct engagement with education reporters.

He urged the Commission to extend invitations to journalists for field trips and project inspections beyond Abuja.
According to him, such on-the-ground visits would enable correspondents to report more accurately on UBEC’s interventions across the country.

Also speaking, Chairman of the FCT Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, Grace Ike, called for stronger collaboration between the media and government to curb misinformation and promote transparency.