The Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) has disbursed N27.8 billion to nine states to enhance basic education across the country.

The latest disbursement data was obtained on Wednesday, showing how the funds were allocated to improve schools and learning conditions, Diaspora digital media (DDM) reports.

UBEC, under the Federal Ministry of Education, is responsible for implementing the Universal Basic Education (UBE) programme nationwide.

The UBEC Act mandates the federal government to provide basic education funding, while states must contribute 50 percent counterpart funding.

This funding arrangement ensures that states access the full allocation available for the development of public primary and junior secondary schools.

Despite this structured funding system, Nigeria’s basic education sector continues to face poor financing, teacher shortages, and deteriorating infrastructure.

Many schools lack essential facilities, while some students still learn in poor conditions due to inadequate government investment in education.

Breakdown of UBEC’s latest disbursement

According to UBEC’s records, Abia State received N4.2 billion for outstanding balances from 2011, 2020, and 2023.

Akwa Ibom State was allocated N1.3 billion to clear balances for the first to fourth quarters of 2023.

Ebonyi State received N2.6 billion, covering outstanding payments from 2022 and 2023.

Enugu and Jigawa states were each allocated N3.5 billion to support their basic education programmes.

Kano State received N1.7 billion to cover the first and second quarters of 2024.

Ondo State was given N3.5 billion to fund basic education from the first to fourth quarters of 2024.

Sokoto and Yobe states were each allocated N3.5 billion for the same period as Ondo State.

UBEC’s latest financial support is part of its ongoing effort to strengthen basic education across different states.

However, concerns remain about whether these funds will be effectively used to improve schools and learning conditions.

Concerns over UBEC fund utilization

Education stakeholders have expressed worries about the management of UBEC funds by state governments.

Many states receive substantial allocations but fail to translate them into tangible improvements in schools.

A representative of Reform Education Nigeria, Ayodamola Oluwatoyin, urged governors to ensure proper utilization of the disbursed funds.

“Governors must ensure that these funds are adequately utilized to provide quality education for children,” he said.

He emphasized that states should not receive huge education funds while pupils still learn under trees.

Reports indicate that some states either mismanage UBEC funds or fail to provide their counterpart funding.

This failure prevents them from fully accessing available funds, leaving many schools in poor conditions.

Some states have also been accused of diverting UBEC allocations to non-educational projects.

Such mismanagement contributes to the declining quality of education in many parts of the country.

Challenges facing Nigeria’s basic education sector

Despite UBEC’s financial interventions, Nigeria’s basic education system continues to struggle with severe challenges.

Thousands of schools lack proper classrooms, learning materials, and essential facilities like toilets and libraries.

In many rural areas, pupils are forced to learn in unsafe and unsuitable environments.

The shortage of qualified teachers further worsens the situation in most public schools.

Overcrowded classrooms reduce learning quality and make it difficult for teachers to provide individual attention to students.

Without adequate investment, these challenges will continue to affect educational outcomes in the country.

Experts believe that while UBEC’s funding is crucial, its impact depends on proper implementation at the state level.

Poor project execution by state governments limits the effectiveness of UBEC’s financial support.

UBEC’s efforts to ensure proper monitoring

To address accountability concerns, UBEC has strengthened its monitoring of allocated funds.

The commission collaborates with State Universal Basic Education Boards (SUBEBs) to track project implementation.

UBEC officials regularly inspect schools to ensure that disbursed funds are used for intended projects.

However, education analysts argue that stricter penalties are needed for states that mismanage UBEC funds.

They suggest that states failing to use funds effectively should face financial restrictions or reduced allocations.

UBEC must also publish detailed reports on how states utilize disbursed funds.

Transparency in fund management will help improve public confidence in the education sector.

The way forward for Nigeria’s basic education

Improving Nigeria’s basic education requires more than just disbursing UBEC funds to states.

Governments at all levels must ensure that education financing is a top priority.

More investments should be directed toward building and renovating schools nationwide.

Teacher recruitment and training should also be prioritized to improve learning outcomes.

Monitoring mechanisms must be strengthened to track the proper use of UBEC funds.

States should be held accountable for any mismanagement of allocated education funds.

With billions of naira disbursed yearly, the focus must shift from funding to actual results.

If properly utilized, UBEC funds can transform Nigeria’s basic education landscape.

Every child deserves access to quality education in a safe and conducive learning environment.

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