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🇳🇬 Nigeria /Culture & Society

N267bn education funds unused in states’ accounts – UBEC

From The Punch · () English

Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Context piece
  • Nigerian education stakeholders urged state governments to use, not just access, education funds to improve learning outcomes.
  • Over N267 billion in intervention funds and N65 billion in counterpart funds remain unutilized in state accounts, according to the Universal Basic Education Commission.
  • Delta State highlighted its investments in education infrastructure and pupil interventions as an example of effective fund deployment.

Basic education stakeholders across Nigeria are pressing state governments to move beyond simply accessing allocated funds and to actively deploy them for tangible improvements in learning outcomes. This call to action was a central theme at the 30th Quarterly Meeting of the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) and State Universal Basic Education Boards (SUBEB) in Asaba, Delta State.

The meeting, themed ‘Repositioning Basic Education in Nigeria to Optimise Investment and Impact,’ focused on how educational investments can yield measurable progress in teaching, learning, and access to quality schooling. UBEC Executive Secretary, Dr. Aisha Garba, expressed concern over the significant amount of unused funds, warning that allocated resources would be ineffective if left idle in state accounts. She reported that over N65 billion in counterpart funding and approximately N267 billion in previously released intervention funds remain unutilized.

"Accessing funds is only part of the responsibility before us. These resources cannot improve education while they remain in accounts," Dr. Garba stated, urging states to enhance their capacity for planning, executing, and monitoring education projects. She emphasized that the ultimate goal of funding should be improved learning outcomes, not merely project completion.

In contrast, Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, represented by Deputy Governor Monday Onyeme, showcased his administration's commitment to education through its MORE Agenda. He reported significant investments, including the construction and renovation of classrooms, provision of essential facilities like perimeter fences and toilets, and the development of a SMART School. The governor also confirmed the state had fulfilled its 2025 UBEC counterpart fund obligation and approved the 2026 fund, underscoring education's importance for the state's future.

Accessing funds is only part of the responsibility before us. These resources cannot improve education while they remain in accounts.

— Dr Aisha GarbaThe UBEC executive secretary highlighted the challenge of unused education funds during the meeting in Asaba.
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Originally published by The Punch. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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