Delta SUBEB: Denies N13.4bn Unspent Funds Allegations

• Delta SUBEB denied claims of holding N13.40 billion in unspent funds from its 2025 budget.
• The board's Executive Chairman, Samuel Mariere, stated that less than N400 million remains from the 2025 budget, primarily for retention fees.
• The reported N13.40 billion was based on outdated financial information from January 2026.
• For the 2026 program, Delta State has provided its counterpart funding, and the Federal Government has released over N2 billion in matching funds, with total funding expected to reach N12 billion.
• Delta SUBEB is preparing to advertise 2026 contracts, expecting awards by early December, after completing procurement procedures.

He reiterated that Delta State does not possess N13.40 billion in a SUBEB account that remains unutilized, and affirmed the board's dedication to allocating the 2026 program funds to approved educational initiatives, subject to federal matching and procurement requirements.

The Delta State Universal Basic Education Board (Delta SUBEB) has refuted allegations that it is holding N13.40 billion in unspent funds. Samuel Mariere, the Executive Chairman of Delta SUBEB, clarified in a telephone interview on Thursday that the board's current account balance from its 2025 budget is less than N400 million. He attributed the higher reported figure to outdated financial records, emphasizing that it does not reflect the board's present financial standing.

Mariere further elaborated that approximately 99 percent of the contracts under the 2025 budget have been fully executed and paid for. The remaining outstanding payments primarily consist of retention fees, which are typically disbursed to contractors six months after their projects reach completion. He specifically noted that the N8 billion balance previously attributed to Delta SUBEB was based on account information recorded as of January 2026, indicating a significant shift in the board's financial position since that time.

Looking ahead, the Delta State government has already provided its required counterpart funding for the 2026 basic education program. Concurrently, the Federal Government has released just over N2 billion in matching funds as of Thursday, contributing to the overall financial pool for the upcoming year's initiatives. Mariere indicated that the federal matching process is still in progress, with the total funding for the 2026 program projected to reach approximately N12 billion once all contributions are finalized. This demonstrates a commitment to Nigeria education funding transparency through established government channels.

The board is actively preparing to advertise contracts for the 2026 projects in the coming week. This process is contingent upon the successful completion of all necessary procurement procedures. Mariere highlighted the rigorous nature of public procurement, explaining that it involves navigating the tender board and adhering to various other regulatory requirements, which prevents immediate action. He anticipates that the contracts will be officially awarded either by the end of November or during the first week of December, following these essential steps.

Beyond financial management, Delta SUBEB has been actively engaged in improving educational infrastructure across the state. The state government has overseen the completion of more than 160 projects and has supplied over 9,000 pieces of furniture to schools throughout Delta State. To enhance accountability, the board is also implementing a digital attendance registry to monitor teachers' presence and has organized various training programs for educators.

Despite these efforts, Mariere acknowledged that some schools continue to experience furniture shortages. He attributed this issue partly to damage and theft, estimating that around 30 percent of school furniture is compromised annually. Both the government and local communities are collaborating to safeguard school facilities and mitigate these losses. Mariere encouraged the public to visit schools across the state to personally evaluate the projects undertaken by the board, asserting the government's substantial investment in basic education. He reiterated that Delta State does not possess N13.40 billion in a SUBEB account that remains unutilized, and affirmed the board's dedication to allocating the 2026 program funds to approved educational initiatives, subject to federal matching and procurement requirements.

This article provides insight into the financial management and procurement processes of a key state education body in Nigeria. Lawyers advising contractors bidding for public sector projects, or compliance officers monitoring government spending and accountability, should note the explanations regarding retention fees, ongoing procurement, and federal matching funds. This context is crucial for understanding payment timelines and the legal intricacies of public contract execution in Delta State.

Source: Original reporting via PUNCH newspaper.