States Access N100bn as UBEC Clears Backlog of Education Grants

The Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) has unlocked more than N100 billion in previously unaccessed matching grants for states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), marking a major boost for Nigeria’s basic education sector.

UBEC Executive Secretary Aisha Garba disclosed this in Abuja during a media engagement with education correspondents, describing the development as one of the Commission’s most significant milestones.

She said the funds are already being deployed to improve school infrastructure and learning conditions nationwide.

According to Garba, the breakthrough follows reforms under UBEC’s 2025–2031 Strategic Blueprint, aligned with the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

She highlighted key achievements to include the construction of over 4,600 classrooms, renovation of 6,100 others, provision of 2,780 toilets and 678 boreholes, and distribution of more than 334,000 pieces of school furniture.

UBEC has also supported the establishment of over 2,300 Early Childhood Care Development and Education centres, expanding access to foundational learning.

On teacher development, Garba said the Commission has invested over N20.4 billion in training programs to improve classroom delivery, school leadership, and accountability.

She added that UBEC is integrating digital learning by expanding Digital Literacy Centres and promoting emerging skills such as coding, robotics, and artificial intelligence in basic schools.

More than 7.8 million instructional materials have also been distributed nationwide to strengthen literacy and numeracy outcomes.

Garba noted that UBEC is widening access to education through initiatives such as Open Schooling, Integrated Qur’anic and Tsangaya Education, and girl-child education programs.

She called for stronger collaboration with the media, describing it as a key partner in promoting transparency and accountability in the education sector.

In response, Chairman of the Education Correspondents Association of Nigeria (ECAN) Chuks Ukwatu urged UBEC to facilitate field visits for journalists to project sites across the country to improve reporting accuracy.

Similarly, Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), FCT Council, Grace Ike, called for closer media-government collaboration to curb misinformation and enhance public trust.