UBEC Directs States to Utilize Basic Education Funds in Nigeria

• UBEC has directed state governments to fully utilize their allocated basic education funds.
• Delta State reports a 90% implementation rate of its 2025 action plan.
• Many states continue to underutilize their allocated funds, leaving millions of students without access to quality education.
• The Nigerian government provides matching funds to support education projects in each state.

UBEC has called on states to ensure full utilisation of available funds

The Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) has issued a directive to state governments in Nigeria, urging them to fully utilize the basic education funds allocated to them. According to UBEC's records, some states have made significant progress in implementing their 2025 action plans, with Delta State reporting a 90% implementation rate. However, despite these efforts, many states continue to underutilize their allocated funds, leaving millions of students without access to quality education.

The directive from UBEC is aimed at ensuring that all state governments meet the requirements for utilizing basic education funds, which are provided by both federal and state governments. By doing so, UBEC hopes to improve the overall quality of education in Nigeria.

The Nigerian government has a long-standing commitment to providing free and compulsory primary education to all citizens. The Universal Basic Education Act 2004, which established UBEC, mandates state governments to contribute at least 10% of their annual budget to basic education. In return, the federal government provides matching funds to support the implementation of education projects in each state. However, despite this framework, many states have struggled to effectively utilize their allocated funds, leading to a decline in the quality of education.

The situation is further complicated by the fact that some states have not been transparent about their utilization of basic education funds. This lack of transparency has raised concerns among stakeholders, including UBEC and civil society organizations, who are calling for greater accountability and efficiency in the use of these funds.

The underutilization of basic education funds has far-reaching consequences for Nigeria's education sector. Millions of students are denied access to quality education, which is essential for their personal development and economic empowerment. Furthermore, the lack of effective utilization of these funds also undermines the government's efforts to achieve its education goals, including reducing the number of out-of-school children and improving literacy rates.

Lawyers advising state governments on education policy should take note of UBEC's directive and ensure that their clients are meeting the requirements for utilizing basic education funds. By doing so, they can help prevent potential compliance issues and ensure continued access to federal funding, which is critical for supporting education projects in each state.

Lawyers advising state governments on education policy should ensure their clients are meeting UBEC's requirements for utilising basic education funds, to avoid potential compliance issues and ensure continued access to federal funding.

Source: Original reporting via UBEC Urges States to Fully Utilise Basic Education Funds