UBEC moves to introduce new template for accessing N68bn dormant education funds

The commission explained that the revised Basic Education Action Plan template was designed to eliminate barriers that have prevented states from accessing about N68bn in dormant funds meant for strengthening basic education across Nigeria.

UBEC Executive Secretary, Dr. Aisha Garba, made this known in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, while declaring open a training workshop for Directors and Desk Officers of South-South States’ Universal Basic Education Boards (SUBEB) from the Department of Physical Planning. The updated template, first unveiled in Makurdi on May 25, 2025, focuses on results-based planning and stronger financial accountability.

Represented by her Special Assistant, Ibrahim Gold, Garba explained that many states have struggled to meet requirements due to the complexities of the old system, slow fund utilisation, and systemic inefficiencies. She added that the new model will streamline work plan preparation under a single structure covering Matching Grants, Teacher Professional Development, Special Needs, and other intervention funds.

She noted that the training aligns with UBEC reforms, following the positive outcomes of a similar workshop earlier held in Kano for Northern states, and urged South-South participants to achieve even greater results.

In separate remarks, UBEC’s Director of Physical Planning, Alhaji Sadiq Saiad, and the Executive Chairman of Akwa Ibom SUBEB, Dr. Aniette Etuk, encouraged participants to be thorough in applying the new tools to ensure the objectives of the workshop are met.

Established under the Universal Basic Education Act of 2004, UBEC coordinates and monitors the country’s basic education programme, which covers primary and junior secondary levels. The law requires states to provide counterpart funding before accessing federal allocations under the intervention fund.

Despite this, many states have repeatedly failed to meet the requirements. In 2023 alone, 27 states and the Federal Capital Territory left N36.1bn in matching grants unaccessed, even as public schools continued to battle overcrowded classrooms, poorly equipped teachers, and dilapidated infrastructure.

Nigeria’s basic education sector faces persistent challenges. UNICEF estimates that 10.2 million children of primary school age and 8.1 million junior secondary school-age children are not in school around 18.3 million in total, the highest number of out-of-school children in the world.