Jane Salihu
The Executive Secretary of the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC), Aisha Garba, has called on state governments to urgently unlock and deploy more than ₦332 billion in available education funds to accelerate development and improve learning outcomes in basic education across Nigeria.
Garba said over ₦65 billion in counterpart funds remained unaccessed by states, while approximately ₦267 billion in previously released intervention funds had yet to be utilised. She said the figures highlighted the need for states to move faster in accessing available resources and converting them into tangible improvements in schools.
She made the call in Asaba, Delta State, during the opening of the 30th Quarterly Meeting of UBEC Management with Executive Chairmen of the State Universal Basic Education Boards (SUBEBs), themed “Repositioning Basic Education in Nigeria to Optimise Investment and Impact.”
The UBEC Executive Secretary disclosed that states had so far accessed more than ₦177 billion in UBE Matching Grants, but urged them to ensure that funds already available were properly planned, implemented and monitored.
According to her, the objective should not simply be to access funds or record expenditure, but to ensure that investments produce functional schools, better learning environments and measurable improvements in children’s educational outcomes.
Garba identified essential school facilities, including classrooms, water, sanitation and hygiene infrastructure, furniture and other basic amenities, as areas where effective utilisation of available resources could make a direct difference.
She also called for stronger partnerships with the private sector, development partners and civil society organisations, stressing that the challenges confronting basic education were too complex to be addressed by government funding alone.
As part of efforts to strengthen long-term planning, Garba announced the review of UBEC’s Ten-Year Strategic Roadmap, which is being extended to cover 2026–2035.
She said the revised roadmap would align investments with the evolving needs of the basic education sector, strengthen implementation and ensure that resources are directed towards interventions capable of delivering measurable impact.
Garba further urged states to prepare for the HOPE-EDU Operation, describing the initiative as an opportunity to strengthen the systems, institutions and capacity required for sustainable improvements in basic education.
She disclosed that UBEC had also developed the Basic Education Action Plan Management System (BEAP-MS), a digital platform designed to transform the preparation and submission of state action plans from a largely manual process into a more efficient digital system.
According to her, 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 seeks to consolidate interventions within selected schools instead of implementing isolated projects. The approach brings together investments in classrooms, water, sanitation and hygiene facilities, perimeter fencing, furniture and other essential infrastructure to create more complete learning environments.
She added that the National Learning Assessment, conducted in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Education, would provide evidence to guide targeted interventions and strengthen planning for improved learning outcomes.
Speaking through the Deputy Governor of Delta State, Sir Monday Onyeme, Governor Sheriff Oborevwori described education as one of the most strategic investments a nation can make.
The Governor said Delta State had prioritised education under its MORE Agenda and continued to meet its counterpart funding obligations under the Universal Basic Education programme.
He also commended UBEC for approving two additional model SMART Schools for the state, noting that Delta had provided the required land. He highlighted investments in classrooms, perimeter fencing, toilets, solar power facilities, furniture, staff quarters, SMART Schools and technical and vocational education.
The Asagba of Asaba, Prof. Epiphany Azinge, urged education authorities to focus more on learning outcomes than expenditure, stressing that the real measure of investment should be the competencies children acquire and the futures transformed.
He also called for stronger attention to inclusive education for girls, children with disabilities, rural and nomadic populations, conflict-affected children and economically disadvantaged households.
The quarterly meeting brings together UBEC management, SUBEB chairpersons, education officials, development partners and other stakeholders to review progress, address common challenges and agree on practical measures to strengthen basic education delivery nationwide.
Garba assured that UBEC would continue to work closely with states to strengthen accountability, improve resource utilisation, expand strategic partnerships and maximise the impact of basic education investments.
