President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has stepped in to resolve long-standing bureaucratic hurdles that have stalled access to over N263 billion in Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) funds, unveiling a sweeping intervention plan aimed at revitalising Nigeria’s struggling basic education sector.
In a bold policy shift following his recent return from Paris, the President approved a new roadmap designed by the Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, that targets the release of unclaimed federal education grants dating back to 2020. The plan identifies clear state-by-state pathways for fund utilisation, including teacher training, school construction, provision of water and sanitation facilities, and support for out-of-school children.
A senior presidency official revealed that Tinubu has authorised “positive arm-twisting” of governors who have long ignored UBEC grants due to an alleged inability to meet counterpart funding requirements. “Previously, the federal government simply tolerated their excuses,” the source said. “Now, the Education Ministry is engaging governors directly, armed with concrete data.”
One such effort was captured in a letter dated April 24, 2025, and addressed to Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun. In it, Minister Alausa stated that the state had failed to access N7.8 billion in UBEC grants for the years 2020–2024. He urged immediate action, citing the dire needs of the state’s education sector.
“Your Excellency, these funds are essential for expanding quality education in Ogun State by constructing new schools in underserved communities and addressing other gaps, including rehabilitating 5,126 classrooms, constructing 1,299 school fences, 996 toilets, 1,016 boreholes, and training 14,772 teachers,” the Minister wrote.
“These investments have significantly reduced the burden of 182,596 out-of-school children, increased primary and JSS enrolment from the current 79% and 59%, respectively, and improved access to safe, effective learning environments. Additionally, they will help advance foundational literacy beyond the current 35%.”
As of December 2024, only Katsina and Kaduna had accessed their UBEC matching grants for the 2024 cycle. In contrast, 34 states and the Federal Capital Territory had left a total of N263 billion untouched.
Some progress was recorded in early 2025, when nine states cleared a combined debt of N37 billion to re-enter the funding stream. These included Borno, Jigawa, Kano, Ondo, Nasarawa, Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Plateau, and Katsina. Borno and Jigawa each accessed over N3.5 billion in full-year 2024 grants, while Kano tapped N1.7 billion for two quarters.
The Education Minister’s strategy also includes updated projections to show states how federal funds can be directly tied to measurable outcomes—especially in reducing Nigeria’s high number of out-of-school children and boosting literacy rates.
With this intervention, the Tinubu administration hopes to not only fast-track stalled educational development across states but also hold governors accountable for failing to utilise available resources for their citizens’ benefit.
