The Executive Secretary of the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC), Aisha Garba, has urged state governments to urgently access more than ₦65 billion in outstanding counterpart funds and utilise about ₦267 billion in previously released intervention funds to improve basic education delivery across the country.

Garba made the call in Asaba, Delta State, at the opening of the 30th Quarterly Meeting of UBEC Management with Executive Chairmen of State Universal Basic Education Boards (SUBEBs).

The meeting, themed “Repositioning Basic Education in Nigeria to Optimise Investment and Impact,” brought together education stakeholders to review challenges and develop strategies for improving the utilisation and impact of investments in the sector.

The UBEC boss disclosed that states had so far accessed more than ₦177 billion in UBE Matching Grants, while over ₦65 billion in counterpart funding remained unaccessed.

She also revealed that approximately ₦267 billion in intervention funds already released to states remained unutilised.

Garba said the figures demonstrated the need for states to move beyond accessing funds to ensuring that available resources were properly planned, implemented and monitored to produce measurable improvements in schools and learning outcomes.

She urged states to strengthen partnerships with the private sector, development partners and civil society organisations, noting that the scale of challenges confronting basic education required broader and more sustainable financing arrangements.

Garba also announced the commencement of the review of UBEC’s Ten-Year Strategic Roadmap, which will now cover the 2026–2035 period.

According to her, the revised roadmap will align investments with emerging needs, strengthen implementation and provide a clearer framework for improving outcomes in the basic education sector.

She further highlighted the HOPE-EDU Operation as an opportunity to strengthen systems, institutions and capacity for sustainable improvements in basic education, urging states to prepare adequately to maximise the benefits of the initiative.

The Executive Secretary also unveiled the Basic Education Action Plan Management System, BEAP-MS, designed to digitise the preparation and submission of state action plans.

She said the digital platform would improve coordination between UBEC and the states, enhance efficiency and reduce the need for repeated physical engagements at the Commission’s headquarters.

Garba said the Whole School Approach would also reposition UBEC’s interventions from isolated projects to comprehensive school improvement.

Under the initiative, facilities such as classrooms, water and sanitation infrastructure, perimeter fencing, furniture and other essential amenities would be integrated within selected schools to create more functional learning environments.

She added that the National Learning Assessment, conducted in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Education, would provide reliable data to guide targeted interventions, improve planning and strengthen learning outcomes.

Speaking through the Deputy Governor, Sir Monday Onyeme, Delta State Governor, Sheriff Oborevwori, described education as the most strategic investment any nation could make.

The governor said Delta State had continued to support the Universal Basic Education programme and fulfil its counterpart funding obligations under the MORE Agenda.

Oborevwori expressed appreciation to UBEC for approving two additional model SMART Schools for the state, noting that the state government had already provided the required land.

He said the government had also invested in classrooms, perimeter fencing, gatehouses, toilets, solar power facilities, furniture and staff quarters, alongside SMART Schools and technical and vocational education programmes.

The Asagba of Asaba, Prof. Epiphany Azinge, called for greater emphasis on learning outcomes rather than expenditure, stressing that the success of education investments should be measured by the competencies acquired by children and the opportunities created for their future.

Azinge also urged UBEC and SUBEBs to strengthen inclusive education for girls, children with disabilities, rural and nomadic populations, conflict-affected children and those from economically disadvantaged backgrounds.

The meeting is expected to strengthen collaboration between UBEC and state education authorities, accelerate the utilisation of available funds and improve accountability, planning and implementation across the basic education sector.

UBEC reaffirmed its commitment to supporting states with technical assistance, coordination and reform leadership to ensure that available resources translate into improved learning environments and better educational outcomes for Nigerian children.