States urged to access N65bn counterpart funds, utilise N267bn UBEC interventions
By Uji A Iliyasu, Abuja
The Executive Secretary of the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC), Aisha Garba, has urged states to urgently access over N65 billion in counterpart funds and utilise approximately N267 billion in previously released intervention funds to improve basic education delivery nationwide.
Garba made the call in Asaba, Delta State, at the opening of the 30th Quarterly Meeting of UBEC Management with Executive Chairmen of State Universal Basic Education Boards (SUBEBs), themed, “Repositioning Basic Education in Nigeria to Optimise Investment and Impact.”
She disclosed that states had accessed over N177 billion in UBE Matching Grants, while more than N65 billion remained unaccessed and approximately N267 billion in previously released intervention funds remained unutilised.
She stressed that states must move beyond accessing funds to ensuring effective planning, implementation, monitoring and conversion of resources into measurable improvements in schools and learning outcomes.
Garba also called for stronger partnerships with the private sector, development partners and civil society organisations, saying the scale of challenges facing basic education required broader and sustainable financing.
She announced the review of UBEC’s Ten-Year Strategic Roadmap, which is being extended to 2026–2035, to align investments with emerging needs and strengthen implementation across the sector.
The Executive Secretary further unveiled the Basic Education Action Plan Management System (BEAP-MS), a digital platform designed to replace the largely manual preparation and submission of state action plans. She said the system would improve coordination, efficiency and accountability while reducing repeated physical engagements between UBEC and states.
Garba also highlighted the Whole School Approach, which brings interventions in classrooms, water and sanitation facilities, fencing, furniture and other infrastructure together in selected schools to create comprehensive and functional learning environments.
She said the HOPE-EDU Operation would strengthen systems, institutions and capacity for sustainable improvements in basic education, urging states to prepare fully to maximise its opportunities.
The Executive Secretary added that the National Learning Assessment, conducted in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Education, would provide evidence for targeted interventions and better planning.
Speaking through Deputy Governor Monday Onyeme, Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori said education remained the state’s strategic priority under the MORE Agenda.
He commended UBEC for approving two additional model SMART Schools for Delta and said the state had provided the required land and fulfilled its counterpart funding obligations.
The Asagba of Asaba, Prof. Epiphany Azinge, urged UBEC and SUBEBs to focus on learning outcomes rather than expenditure, stressing that success should be measured by the competencies children acquire and the futures transformed.
He also called for greater attention to girls, children with disabilities, rural and nomadic populations, conflict-affected children and economically disadvantaged learners.
The meeting brings together UBEC management, SUBEB chairmen, education officials, development partners and other stakeholders to review progress and strengthen accountability, resource utilisation and basic education delivery nationwide.