UBEC urges states to utilise education funds

At the 30th Quarterly Meeting of UBEC Management with Executive Chairmen of State Universal Basic Education Boards (SUBEBs) in Asaba, Nigeria — Delta State, UBEC Executive Secretary Aisha Garba raised the alarm over the slow utilisation of billions of naira meant for basic education. She disclosed that while states had accessed over N177 billion in UBE Matching Grants, more than N65 billion in counterpart funds remained unaccessed and approximately N267 billion in previously released intervention funds remained unutilised, totalling over N332 billion in available funds. Garba urged states to urgently access and deploy these funds to improve schools and learning outcomes, warning that prolonged non-utilisation delays critical interventions. She also announced the review of UBEC's Ten-Year Strategic Roadmap (extended to 2026-2035), unveiled the Basic Education Action Plan Management System (BEAP-MS) to digitise state action plans, highlighted the Whole School Approach, and urged states to prepare for the HOPE-EDU Operation. Nigeria — Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, represented by Deputy Monday Onyeme, reaffirmed the state's commitment to education under its MORE Agenda and thanked UBEC for approving two additional SMART Schools. The Asagba of Asaba, Epiphany Azinge, called for a focus on learning outcomes rather than expenditure alone.