Funding meant for classrooms, learning materials, and school infrastructure has started reaching states—but access still depends on how ready each state is to match it.
The Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) has disbursed a total of N44.24bn as matching grants to 11 states.
According to the commission’s disbursement schedule, the benefiting states are Jigawa, Ondo, Taraba, Kogi, Kaduna, Plateau, Osun, Zamfara, Bauchi, Sokoto, and Enugu.
The matching grant is designed to support states and the Federal Capital Territory in improving basic education, particularly through infrastructure development.
However, it is not automatic funding.
States are required to contribute at least 50 per cent of the total cost of any project as counterpart funding before accessing the grant.
The amount each state receives is based on what UBEC gets, with funds shared on an equal basis once conditions are met.
The latest disbursement, made between January and March this year, covers the first to fourth quarters of 2025.
There are, however, some variations.
Kaduna received funds spanning from the third quarter of 2024 to the fourth quarter of 2025, while Taraba got allocations covering both 2024 and 2025.
Zamfara received funds for the first to third quarters and part of the fourth quarter of 2025.
In terms of figures, Jigawa, Ondo, Kogi, Plateau, Osun, Bauchi, Sokoto, and Enugu each received N3.55bn.
Taraba got N7.10bn, Kaduna received N5.33bn, while Zamfara was allocated N3.557bn.
To fully access these funds, states must provide a matching contribution in line with Section 11(2) of the UBEC Act, 2004.
There is also a time limit.
Any state that accesses the funds but fails to utilise them within one year risks having the allocation withdrawn by the commission.
UBEC has repeatedly raised concerns about the slow use of these funds.
The commission noted that allocations are often left unused in the accounts of State Universal Basic Education Boards and the FCT.
Last year, UBEC’s Executive Secretary, Aisha Garba, disclosed that about N250bn in intervention funds remained unutilised by states.
The development highlights a recurring issue—not just funding availability, but how quickly and effectively it is used to improve basic education across the country.
Credit: ThePunch
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