N25 states accessed N92.4 billion in six months

The Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) has revealed that the sum of N250 billion in matching grants has been unutilised by 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). 

The Commission also disclosed that 25 states and the FCT have accessed the sum of N92.4 billion of the grants in the last six months.  The Executive Secretary of the Commission, Aisha Garba, stated this in Abuja yesterday while declaring open three-day financial management training for officials of State Universal Basic Education Commission (SUBEB).
 
Describing the development as worrisome, Garba underscored the need for states to tap into the funds for the development of basic education. Represented by the Deputy Executive Secretary (Technical) at the Commission, Rasaq Akinyemi, the UBEC boss expressed worry that after accessing the matching grants over the years, the 36 states and the FCT failed to utilise them. 
 
Garba said: “I am glad to inform this gathering that between January and June 2025 (six months), the sum of N92.4 billion UBE Matching Grant has been accessed by 25 states and FCT.

Furthermore, the Commission disbursed N19 billion, being the 2023/2024 Teacher Professional Development (TPD) fund, to 32 states and the FCT and N1.5 billion SBMC School Improvement Programme (SBMC-SIP) fund to 1,147 communities in the 36 States and FCT. 

“While the above achievement reflects a significant gain, the basic challenge remains not only accessing the remaining UBE Intervention Fund, but more importantly, the slow utilisation of the fund with over N250 billion still being retained as unutilised in the coffers of the 36 SUBEBs and FCT-UBEB as at today.” 
 
Speaking on the theme, “Efficient and Effective Management of the UBE Intervention Fund,” she emphasised the need for states to take advantage of the funds to improve the quality of education, infrastructure, and teacher training, stressing that efficient management of these funds is crucial to achieving the goals of the UBE programme. 
 
According to her, the theme resonates with the Commission’s commitment to continuous improvement in the management of basic education funds in respective states, ensuring that all financial resources allocated for UBE delivery are properly managed and effectively utilised. 

She added that the training would cover a range of pertinent areas, including the new template for preparing SUBEB Action Plans, an overview of Nigerian Tax Reforms Act 2025, financial infractions, and violations resulting in audit queries.