UBEC Urges States to Fully Utilise Basic Education Funds; Delta Reports 90% Implementation

The Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) has called on Nigerian states to ensure the complete utilization of available funds and prompt implementation of approved programs to enhance basic education delivery nationwide. This appeal was made during a courtesy visit to the Delta State Government in Asaba, as part of the 30th Quarterly Meeting of UBEC Management with Executive Chairmen of State Universal Basic Education Boards (SUBEBs).

The meeting, themed “Repositioning Basic Education in Nigeria to Optimise Investment and Impact,” focused on translating investments and innovations into improved classroom environments and learning outcomes. UBEC commended Delta State for accessing its UBE matching grants up to 2025. The Commission also encouraged the state to leverage the education component of the World Bank-supported HOPE Education Programme, which has allocated $500 million for education.

To qualify for the HOPE program, states must access the 2026 matching grant and implement at least 50 percent of their 2025 Action Plan. In response, Delta's Deputy Governor, Monday Onyeme, stated that updated records indicate the state has approximately N1 billion in unutilized funds, a figure significantly lower than a previously reported N8 billion. He confirmed that Delta has implemented about 90 percent of its 2025 Action Plan and has already received its 2026 matching grant.

The UBEC team also recognized Delta's innovative Attend360 system, a technology-driven teacher attendance tracker, as a potential model for strengthening accountability across basic education nationwide. The Executive Secretary emphasized the critical role of teachers, stating, “There is no education or quality learning without a good teacher or without a teacher in the classroom.” During a visit to the Asagba of Asaba, Prof. Epiphany Azinge, UBEC sought stronger collaboration with traditional institutions, with Azinge underscoring basic education as the foundation for Nigeria's future and urging inclusivity for all children.

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There is no education or quality learning without a good teacher or without a teacher in the classroom.