The Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) has expressed concern over the failure of state governments to utilize over N250 billion in intervention funds allocated for basic education.
Dr. Aisha Garba, the Executive Secretary of UBEC, revealed this on Monday during the inauguration of a three-day Financial Management Training organized for fund managers from the State Universal Basic Education Boards (SUBEBs) across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). The training targets Directors of Finance and Accounts, Heads of Internal Audit, and Matching Grant Desk Officers, and focuses on ensuring efficient and effective management of Universal Basic Education (UBE) intervention funds.
Dr. Garba noted that the core issue is not just in accessing the UBE matching grants but also in the failure of some state governments to utilize the funds for improving infrastructure and learning conditions in public schools across the country.
According to her, “This exercise offered me the opportunity to identify key lapses in the management of UBE funds at the state level. These include delays in accessing and utilizing the matching grants, non-compliance with utilization guidelines, diversion of funds, failure to deduct and remit taxes, disregard for due process in contract awards, and failure to follow approved Action Plans.”
To address these challenges, she said the Commission reviewed the Utilization Guidelines, introduced a new template for SUBEB Action Plans, and approved capacity-building initiatives for both UBEC and SUBEB personnel at national and international levels.
Dr. Garba highlighted some recent progress, stating:
“I am pleased to report that between January and June 2025, twenty-five states and the FCT accessed a total of N92.4 billion in UBE Matching Grants. Additionally, UBEC disbursed N19 billion under the 2023/2024 Teacher Professional Development Fund to 32 states and the FCT, as well as N1.5 billion under the SBMC School Improvement Programme to 1,147 communities nationwide.”
However, despite these gains, she emphasized that a significant challenge persists: the slow utilization of remaining funds.
“As of today, over N250 billion is still unutilized and remains in the accounts of the 36 SUBEBs and the FCT-UBEB,” she said.
Dr. Garba explained that the ongoing training aims to equip fund managers with the necessary skills to improve access, ensure timely utilization of funds, and strengthen oversight and accountability at the grassroots level.
“This training is part of our continued effort to address systemic gaps and drive better outcomes in the management of UBE resources,” she concluded.
