By Ngozi Nwankwo
Universal Basic Education Commission, UBEC, said it has facilitated the mobilisation of over ₦100 billion in previously unaccessed matching grants by states and the Federal Capital Territory,FCT, for basic education development.
Executive Secretary of UBEC, Hajia Aisha Garba, disclosed this on Wednesday at a media luncheon with education correspondents in Abuja.
Garba said the funds were being used to improve learning environments across the country in line with UBEC’s 2025–2031 Strategic Blueprint and the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
According to her, in partnership with State Universal Basic Education Boards, UBEC has constructed 4,600 classrooms, renovated 6,100 others, provided 2,780 toilets and 678 boreholes, and supplied 334,000 pieces of school furniture.
The commission also established over 2,300 Early Childhood Care Development and Education Centres and distributed more than 7.8 million instructional materials to schools nationwide.
“Recognising that no education system can rise above the quality of its teachers, UBEC has invested over ₦20.4 billion in teacher professional, development,” said Garba.
She added that the commission is strengthening classroom practice through the Effective Schools Programme and School-Based Management Committees.
On technology, Garba said UBEC is expanding Digital Literacy Centres, Smart Schools, and introducing Artificial Intelligence, coding and robotics to equip learners with 21st-century skills.
She listed other interventions to include Open Schooling, Integrated Qur’anic and Tsangaya Education, girl-child and inclusive education programmes.
Garba said UBEC has also introduced institutional reforms to strengthen transparency, project monitoring and data-driven decision-making.
She urged the media to continue to promote accountability and balanced reporting to build public confidence in the basic education sector.
“Education is a shared responsibility. Government can provide leadership and resources, but lasting transformation requires the collective commitment of communities, teachers, parents, development partners and the media,” she said.
