Govs snub ₦98bn UBEC funds despite education crisis

Despite growing concerns over Nigeria’s education crisis, state governments have reportedly failed to access nearly ₦98 billion allocated for basic education under the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC), according to findings from a recent investigation.

The funds, totalling about ₦97.88 billion, are said to be sitting idle due to states’ inability to meet counterpart funding requirements needed to unlock the grants. Under the UBEC framework, states must provide matching funds to access federal allocations meant for improving basic education.

Education stakeholders have expressed concern that the delay is worsening challenges in the sector, including inadequate infrastructure, overcrowded classrooms and shortages of teaching materials and personnel.

Analysts warn that failure to utilise the funds could further deepen learning gaps and hinder efforts to address the country’s out-of-school children crisis, which remains one of the highest globally.

Experts have urged state governments to prioritise education funding and meet the necessary conditions to access the grants, stressing that timely intervention is critical to improving learning outcomes and strengthening the foundation of the education system.

The development has also sparked calls for greater accountability and monitoring to ensure that allocated funds are effectively utilised for their intended purpose.