The Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) has revealed that 34 states has failed to access N263 billion matching grants for basic education between 2020 and 2024. This alarming trend comes as Nigeria grapples with an estimated 18.3 million out-of-school children.
Nigeria is facing a severe educational crisis, with over 18 million children out of school. The situation is further exacerbated by the inability of 34 states and the Federal Capital Territory to access N263 billion in Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) grants. This is despite the growing concerns about the country’s alarming rate of out-of-school children.
The Executive Secretary of UBEC, Hamid Bobboyi, revealed that only two states, Katsina and Kaduna, have accessed the first and second-quarter 2024 matching grants; states like Abia (N4.28 billion), Imo (N3.54 billion), and Ogun (N4.26 billion) have yet to retrieve funds from 2021, 2022, and 2023. This lack of access to funds has contributed to the high dropout rates, with experts linking it to poor funding, corruption, poverty, and lack of political will.
Oluwadare Kolawole, Deputy Director of the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project, emphasized, “Primary education lays the foundation for other levels; it’s the fulcrum of socio-political and economic advancement”.
Malik Adesegun, Founder of Education for All, added, “It’s unbelievable that over N50 billion lies dormant with UBEC when there’s a dire need for funds to develop basic education”.
Prof. Ayodeji Olukoju, Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Council at Chrisland University attributed the crisis to governors’ lack of prioritization, stating, “This smacks of insensitivity and lack of vision; an educated citizenry is easier to lead”.
Dr. Adeolu Onakoya stressed, “State governors need to rediscover the importance of education; it grows individuals, institutions, and the economy. No country has found prosperity without a thriving education sector”.
To address the issue, stakeholders recommend engaging community leaders, providing incentives like free education and lunches, and making schools safe and attractive.
