Abuja, Nigeria | September 17, 2025
The Federal Government has commended state governments for their improved commitment to basic education financing through increased access to the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) counterpart funds.
Minister of Education, Prof. Tahir Mamman, made the remarks in Abuja on Wednesday while receiving an update from UBEC officials on the disbursement and utilization of funds across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory.
According to the report, more states have shown greater compliance in paying their matching grants to unlock UBEC’s interventions, which are critical to addressing infrastructure gaps, teacher training, instructional materials, and school enrolment drives nationwide.
Prof. Mamman noted that improved access to the fund reflects the growing recognition of education as a tool for national development, urging states yet to maximize the opportunity to step up their efforts. He stressed that the Tinubu-led administration remains committed to strengthening the Universal Basic Education programme under the Renewed Hope Agenda, particularly in reducing out-of-school children figures and improving learning outcomes.
UBEC Executive Secretary, Dr. Hamid Bobboyi, confirmed that the Commission has recorded an increase in states’ responsiveness in the 2024–2025 cycle compared to previous years. He explained that timely access to funds would allow for swift execution of school rehabilitation, provision of digital learning facilities, and recruitment of teachers in underserved areas.
Stakeholders present at the briefing agreed that sustaining this momentum is crucial for bridging educational inequalities across Nigeria’s regions.
