The Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) has revealed that a staggering N135.5 billion in matching grants has not been accessed by state governments between 2020 and 2024, leaving critical funding for educational development untapped.
Dr. Hamid Bobboyi, the Executive Secretary of UBEC, made this revelation during his presentation of the 2023 and 2024 budget implementation report to the Senate Committee on Basic and Secondary Education in Abuja on Monday, November 18, 2024.
The disclosure comes amid growing concerns about Nigeria’s education sector, particularly the lack of commitment by some state governments to utilize available funds. Bobboyi clarified that the funds were not subject to expiration, unlike those allocated to other organizations, and could be accessed in subsequent years. However, he expressed deep concern that many states failed to meet the necessary conditions to access these crucial funds, hampering educational development across the country.
“Despite the funds being available, many states have not taken the necessary steps to access them,” Bobboyi stated. “This is funding that could significantly improve the education sector, but it remains untapped.”
States Struggling to Access Education Grants
In his report, Bobboyi highlighted that the situation varies across regions, with some states showing better performance than others. Notably, nine states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) had not accessed the 2023 UBE Matching Grant.
In terms of regional performance, the North-West Zone had the best record, with all its states successfully accessing 100 percent of their allocated grants. The South-South Zone followed closely, with 97.92 percent of its funds accessed. However, other zones, such as the South-East, faced significant shortfalls. The South-East accessed only 85.37 percent of its 2022 matching funds, with some states, like Abia, Imo, and Ogun, failing to access grants from previous years.
Bobboyi pointed out that states like Katsina and Kaduna had set a positive example by accessing the 2024 matching grants early. However, other states such as Ogun, Abia, and Imo are still missing out on grants allocated in 2020 and 2021.
According to the UBEC Executive Secretary, a breakdown of grant access for the years 2020, 2021, and 2022 revealed that several states had yet to access funds.
“Seven states are yet to access the 2022 UBE matching grant, and nine states and the FCT have not accessed the 2023 matching grant,” Bobboyi added.
Financial and Political Hurdles Impeding Progress
The UBEC boss also identified several challenges that hinder the effective implementation of the 2023 and 2024 budgets. He specifically pointed to the lack of political will and commitment by some state governments to prioritize education.
“There is still a lack of political will in some states to prioritize education, and this has contributed to the underutilization of these matching grants,” Bobboyi said.
He further cited the high number of out-of-school children, including the Almajiri and children with special needs, as a major obstacle. According to Bobboyi, getting these children into formal education remains a significant hurdle for the nation’s education system.
“Insecurity has also posed a major challenge,” Bobboyi added. “Violent crimes such as insurgency, banditry, kidnappings, and communal crises have made some areas dangerous for schools, particularly in the northern and southeastern parts of the country.”
Slow Project Execution and Budgetary Constraints
Another barrier Bobboyi highlighted was the slow pace of project execution by the State Universal Basic Education Boards (SUBEBs). This delay in the implementation of educational projects further restricts the ability of states to meet educational goals and improve their systems.
In addition, low budgetary allocations for basic education at both the state and local government levels have also been a persistent issue. Bobboyi stressed the urgent need for more financial commitment to the sector in order to facilitate better access to education for all Nigerian children.
Legislative Support and Oversight
Senator Lawal Adams Usman, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Education (Basic and Secondary), underscored the critical role of basic education in the development of Nigeria’s future. He stressed that the committee’s visit to UBEC was in line with its constitutional duties under Section 88 of the 1999 Constitution.
“This visit is part of our oversight responsibility to ensure the effective implementation of the budget and address any inefficiencies, waste, and challenges within the UBEC system,” Senator Usman said. “We will also be inspecting physical projects such as the UBEC ICT Centre and Smart Schools to evaluate the impact of the grants.”
While commending UBEC’s efforts thus far, Senator Usman urged the commission to address the challenges it faces, especially given that the enabling law under which it operates is currently being reviewed by the National Assembly.
