The Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) says it has facilitated the release of more than N100 billion in previously unclaimed matching grants for states and the Federal Capital Territory to strengthen basic education across the country.
UBEC Executive Secretary, Aisha Garba, disclosed this while briefing journalists in Abuja, describing the initiative as a major step towards improving learning conditions, school infrastructure and teacher development under the Federal Government’s education reform agenda.
According to Garba, the funds had remained unutilised for years because several states were unable to access them, but are now being invested in projects aimed at improving education nationwide.
She said the commission, working with State Universal Basic Education Boards, has constructed more than 4,600 classrooms, renovated over 6,100 classrooms, provided 2,780 toilets and installed 678 boreholes in schools across the country.
UBEC has also supplied more than 334,000 pieces of classroom furniture and established over 2,300 Early Childhood Care Development and Education Centres to improve learning opportunities for young children.
Garba added that the commission has invested over N20.4 billion in teacher training programmes to enhance teaching quality, strengthen school leadership and improve accountability within the education system.
She said UBEC is also promoting technology-based learning by expanding Digital Literacy Centres, strengthening Smart Schools, and introducing pupils to emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence, coding and robotics.
In addition, the commission has distributed more than 7.8 million instructional materials to schools to improve literacy, numeracy and foundational learning.
Garba noted that UBEC is also expanding access to education through initiatives targeting vulnerable groups, including Open Schooling, Integrated Qur’anic and Tsangaya Education, girl-child education and inclusive education programmes.
She further explained that the commission has introduced reforms to improve transparency, strengthen project monitoring and encourage data-driven decision-making in the implementation of education projects.
According to the Executive Secretary, UBEC’s 2025–2031 Strategic Blueprint is focused on delivering measurable improvements in access to quality education, learning outcomes and opportunities for millions of Nigerian children.
UBEC is the Federal Government agency responsible for coordinating the implementation of the Universal Basic Education programme, including early childhood, primary and junior secondary education, through partnership with state governments and the Federal Capital Territory.
