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Tag: UBEC

  • States’ failure on UBEC’s counterpart funding stalls basic education

    States’ failure on UBEC’s counterpart funding stalls basic education

    Despite the problems facing basic education in the country, some state governments have failed in paying counterpart funding to access over N45,730,811,745 set aside by the Federal Government for basic education. Frank Ikpefan, Abuja, Kolade Adeyemi, Jos, Yinka Adeniran, Ibadan, Onimisi Alao, Yola, Rasaq Ibrahim, Ado-Ekiti, Victor Gai, Jalingo, and Ogo Anioke, Abakaliki, report on the issue.

    NIGERIA faces a learning crisis which has been compounded by the growing problem of out-of-school children, the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) indicated. It is, therefore, surprising that some state governments have failed to prioritise education.

    According to the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) 27 states failed to access over N45,730,811,745 set aside by the Federal Government for basic education. The figures obtained from UBEC dated July 1, 2024, covered grants from 2020 to 2023, which the 27 states failed to provide the counterpart funds to access their allocations.

    Abia, Ogun and Imo states had a larger share of the amount with the commission as of July 1, 2024.

    A breakdown of the figure showed that: Abia (N4,288,389,014.05); Adamawa (N2, 600, 237, 320.29); Akwa Ibom (N1, 395, 780, 708.52); Anambra (N2,600,237,314.29); Bauchi (N2,600,262,186.61); Bayelsa (N1,395,804,960.52); Benue (N20,007.39); Cross River (N2,047,028.41); Ebonyi (N2, 600, 237,314.29); Edo (N2, 600, 237,314.29); Ekiti (N1,396,784,956.76); Gombe (N1,395,784,959.14); Imo (N3,546,883,977.36); Kaduna (N1,395,784,960.49) and Kano (N581,577,067.70) failed to provide counterpart funds to access the grant.

    Other states included: Katsina (N1,395,784,959.15); Kebbi (N1,395,784,960.53); Kogi (N1,395,784,960.53); Lagos ((N1,395,9926,149.23); Niger (N237,313.98); Ogun (N4,261,988,113.90); Oyo (N2,600,237,314.29); Plateau (N1,395,784,960.53); Rivers (N697,892,480.96); Yobe (N1,395,834,960.71); and FCT (N1,395,784,961.46).

    Why states fail to access funds

    An official of the commission told The Nation that some state governments prefer to leave the funds to “mature” before they provide their counterpart money for the grant.

    But another said some state governments that “didn’t utilise previous grants provided by the commission properly are denied access to the funds because of fear of the money being diverted to other use”.

    Also, the Director of Finance and Accounts at UBEC, Adamu Misau, attributed the accumulated funds with the commission to “lack of political will from governors”.

    Misau, in a paper presented during a meeting with Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) on Effective Schools Programme in Abuja on Tuesday, lamented high discretionary powers of the executive and legislature, which results in lack of prioritisation of basic education, poor budget credibility and implementation.

    He also blamed the lack of clear policy on funding basic education at the state and the local government levels on the increased funds with the commission.

    Falana sues 36 states

    Early this year, Human rights lawyer, Femi Falana (SAN), dragged the 36 state governments and the Federal Capital Territory before the Federal High Court in Lagos over their failure to access N68 billion Universal Basic Education Commission funds to provide free basic education for their citizens.

    The SAN said the states failed to pay the counterpart funds necessary to access the UBEC funds to provide free basic education for citizens.

    Also joined as defendants in the suit are the Attorney General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), the Minister of Education, Prof. Tahir Mamman (SAN) and UBEC.

    Falana wants the court to determine “whether the refusal or failure of the respondents to access the sum of N68 billion for the Universal Basic Education of children of school age in Nigeria is illegal as it violates section 11(2) of the Compulsory, Free Universal Basic Education Act, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004”.

    Reactions from states

    Oyo: we have finalised payment of outstanding fund

    The Executive Chairman, Oyo State Universal Basic Education Board, Dr. Nureni Adeniran, said the state government has finalised the payment of the outstanding counterpart fund, following an approval for the release of the fund by the state government.

    He assured that the Oyo SUBEB account will be credited before the week runs out, which will be followed by a notification to UBEC for verification and release of the other part to the state government.

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    On why the payment was delayed, Adeniran said 2023 was an election year, which means that many decisions could not be taken immediately. He said the board was constituted late last year, adding that it has been working assiduously since then, with the payment of this counterpart fund as one of the results of its efforts.

    We’re up-to-date with payment, says Adamawa

    The Adamawa State Government said that it is up-to-date with payment of counterpart funds to the UBEC. Governor Ahmadu Fintiri’s Chief Press Secretary, Humwashi Wonosikou, who spoke on the matter with our correspondent, asserted that because the state has paid all necessary counterpart funds to the commission, it has in turn accessed the funds due to the state.

    On being told of information that the state has outstanding grant of N2,600,237,320 to collect, Wonosikou said although he could not put the transactions between the commission and the state in figures, he was sure the state is up-to-date with its obligations  and entitlements from the commission.

    Attempts to get the Adamawa State Universal Basic Education Commission (ADSUBEB) to speak on the matter did not yield fruits.

    Ebonyi: we are accessing UBEC funds

    The Ebonyi State Government said it is accessing the UBEC funds available to it. It said it is ever ready to pay its counterpart fund to access all the funds.

    Commissioner for Education Paul Nwobasi stated this in Abakaliki, the state capital.

    He was reacting to reports that the state failed to access over N2 billion from UBEC counterpart funds between 2020 to 2023. According to him, the administration of Governor Nwifuru is ever ready to pay its own counterpart funds and access the funds to enable it develop the education sector.

    He noted that majority of the unaccessed funds may have been from previous administration.

    According to him, “the funds cannot be accessed at once. It is accessed in tranches and this takes time. So, it is not that we are not ready to access them but the process involved means we cannot access it as fast as we want,” he added.

    Ekiti denies owing counterpart fund

    The Ekiti State Government has faulted the report by the UBEC that the state has failed to pay counterparts fund to access the grant.

    Commissioner for Education Dr. Adebimpe Aderiye, in a telephone chat with our reporter, said that the report by UBEC is largely outdated.

    Dr. Aderiye said contrary to the claim that Ekiti State was owing counterparts funds, the state government has paid N1.395 billion in June, this year.

    She said: “The Ekiti State Government in June 2024 paid N1,395,784, 059.14 as its counterpart fund.”‘Mutfwang determined to claim subsisting grants’

    Plateau State Governor Caleb Mutfwang has shown willingness and determination to access the 2020, 2023 UBEC grants, which past administration was unable to access.

    The governor has, therefore, intensified efforts towards that to enable the state government claim the grants.

    The State chairman of Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), Simon Amuga, made these known while speaking with The Nation in Jos.

    According to Amuga, “The previous administration did not take part of 2020 and 2023 UBEC grants. On assumption as the governor, Mutfwang discovered this and initiated moves to enable SUBEB to access that backlog of 2020 and 2023 grants.

    “Due to the seriousness attached to it by the government, there is an assurance for that as we speak. Last week, the government awarded contract for that, because if you did not complete ongoing projects, you cannot access what is subsisting. So, the state government has already awarded contract for the completion of all ongoing UBEC projects.

    “I can assure you that the governor is more than determined to all that is necessary to grab the subsisting grants for the benefits of education in the state.”

  • States fail to access N45.7bn with UBEC as basic education suffers

    States fail to access N45.7bn with UBEC as basic education suffers

    The Executive Secretary of the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC), Dr. Hamid Bobboyi has revealed that over N45.7 billion in funds allocated for the implementation of Universal Basic Education (UBE) between 2020 and 2023 have not been accessed by many states.

    He made this known on Wednesday when he received members of the Federal House of Representatives Committee on Basic Education and Services on an oversight visit to the Commission in Abuja.

    According to the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC), 27 states failed to access over N45, 730, 811, 745 00 set aside by the federal government for basic education.

    The figures obtained from UBEC dated July 1, 2024, covered grants from 2020 – 2023 which the 27 states failed to provide the counterpart funds to access the money.

    Abia, Ogun, and Imo states had a larger share of the amount with the commission as of July 1, 2024.

    A breakdown of the figure showed that: Abia (N4, 288, 389, 014.05); Adamawa (N2, 600, 237, 320.29); Akwa Ibom (N1, 395, 780, 708.52); Anambra (N2, 600, 237, 314.29); Bauchi (N2, 600, 262, 186.61); Bayelsa (N1, 395, 804,960.52); Benue (N20,007,39); Cross River (N2,047,028.41); Ebonyi (N2, 600, 237,314.29); Edo (N2, 600, 237,314.29); Ekiti (N1,396,784,956.76); Gombe (N1,395,784,959.14); Imo (N3,546,883,977.36); Kaduna (N1,395,784,959.14) and Kano (N581,577,066.31) failed to provide counterpart funds to access the grant.

    Other states included: Katsina (N1,395,784,959.15); Kebbi (N1,395,784,959.15); Kogi (N1,395,784,959.15); Lagos ((N1,395,784,959.14); Niger (N237,312.90); Ogun (N4,261,958,112.52); Oyo (N2,600,237,312.90); Plateau (N1,395,884,959.14); Rivers (N697,892,480.96); Yobe (N1,395,784,959.14); and FCT (N1,395,784,959.15).

    Bobboyi said only 16 states have so far accessed the 2023 matching grant, representing 41 per cent of the appropriated N51.6 billion for basic education.

    The states are: Benue, Borno, Cross River, Delta, Enugu, Jigawa, Kano, Kwara, Nasarawa Niger, Ondo, Osun, Rivers, Sokoto, Taraba and Zamfara.

    The executive secretary said N51.6 billion was appropriated by the Federal Government as a matching grant to states in 2023, explaining that only N21 billion was accessed by the 16 states as of June 30.

    He said: “Out of N103.2 billion appropriated amount for 2023, being two per cent of Consolidated Revenue Fund (CRF), the sum of N55 billion was utilised.

    “This is the total expenditure under UBE implementation, matching grant, educational imbalance, special education, and monitoring and programmes funds as of June 30, 2024.

    Thus showing 54 percent utilisation.

    “For the 2023 matching grant disbursement status, the sum of N21 billion was accessed by 16 states out of N51.6 billion appropriated, representing 41 percent as of June 30.”

    He said one of the challenges being faced by the Commission was the inability of some state governments to access UBE matching grants as and when due.

    Bobboyi noted that the quest to deliver quality basic education as well as address the challenge of out-of-school children in Nigeria, required all stakeholders, including the National Assembly to join forces together to achieve.

    He lamented that some state governments lacked political will and commitment to basic education issues, saying this further exacerbated the menace of out-of-school children in the country.

    The chairman of the House Committee on Universal Basic Education and Services Mark Useni described the about 20-year-old UBEC Act as obsolete and inadequate to address the emerging challenges of basic education in Nigeria.

    The lawmaker said there was an urgent need to amend the law.

    Useni, who is a member representing Takum/Ussa/Donga Federal Constituency, revealed that already, the bill to that effect has already passed first and second readings in the House and was now at the committee stage.

    He said: “The UBEC Act has been in place for nearly 20 years. From the time the law came into force till today, we have passed through several stages of development; so one cannot hold on to one thing over the years.

    “Like the issue of un-accessed funds, if we don’t amend the Act, the challenge would continue to be there but if the Act is amended and there are measures to make sure that we overcome unaccessed funds, the primary and secondary education would serve our children better.”

    He said the oversight function was necessary to see how basic education has fared in the last one year.

    Useni said the committee needed to know the areas of interventions the commission would be required to enhance quality basic education in the country.

    He added: “In our drive towards ensuring every Nigerian child is back to school and able to learn, we have high expectations from UBEC over the years.

    “If the Federal Government has not established UBEC, you can only imagine what will become of basic education in the country.

    Read Also: ‘Why UBEC will UBE 2004 Act 2004’

    “The challenge of unavailability of teachers also is beyond what we can achieve at this level. UBEC does not recruit teachers for the Local Education Authority (LEA), it is the responsibility of states and local governments.

    “What UBEC does is intervene to check the quality of teachers and keep them up to date, we are going to engage state actors to make sure that we call attention to these serious problems.

    “Nigerians know that this intervention agency must play a pivotal role in the education of our children and everybody needs to know how far you fared. What are the challenges you are having, we need to ensure you do what you are meant to do.

    “We must work very hard to change the tide of basic education.”

  • Nigeria suffering from acute teacher shortage, others, UBEC cries

    Nigeria suffering from acute teacher shortage, others, UBEC cries

    • Commission seeks private sector support

    Executive Secretary of Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) Dr Hamid Bobboyi has said public primary schools in the country lack qualified teachers.

    According to him, of the 694,078 teachers required at the level, only 499,202 are available, leaving a gap of 194,876.

    Bobboyi spoke in Lagos yesterday at a one-day partnership meeting/dialogue with the Organised Private Sector on the implementation of the Universal Basic Education (UBE) programme. The event was organised by UBEC in collaboration with the Private Sector Advisory Group (PSAG).

    According to Bobboyi, the inadequacy of qualified teachers at primary school level is contributing to learning poverty in basic education. He added that the problem lies with skewed deployment in favour of schools in urban areas.

    The executive secretary also said states are neither recruiting new teachers nor replacing those who withdrew from service, resulting in shortage of teachers.

    He lamented that of the 171,027 basic education institutions, 79,775 are public schools and 91,252 are private schools.

    The UBEC chief also bemoaned infrastructure deficit in schools, saying teaching and learning take place in poor environments.

    He added: “40 per cent of classrooms are in bad condition in the basic education sub-sector. The poor condition of classrooms cuts across all geo-political zones. As at 2022, 907,769 additional classrooms were required in primary schools, and 200,085 were required in junior secondary schools. Generally, a high percentage of learners do not have furniture in both public and private schools.

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    “Percentage of schools without toilets is worse in public schools, especially ECCDE and primary, compared to private schools. States are totally overwhelmed with the scale of dilapidation and scarcity.”

    Bobboyi, however, called for more private sector investment in basic education to complement the Federal Government’s efforts.

    “Since government alone cannot meet the huge requirements for quality UBE delivery, private entities should commit to taking further responsibility in key aspects of UBE delivery, especially creating opportunities for addressing the out-of-school children phenomenon,” he added.

    Representative of the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), Dr Bala Yusuf Yinusa, noted that urgent action must be taken to improve basic education because, by 2030, 84 million children will be out of school, while 300 million will not have access to education due to years of underinvestment in education.

  • ‘Why UBEC will UBE 2004 Act 2004’

    ‘Why UBEC will UBE 2004 Act 2004’

    Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) has said it iwill review Universal Basic Education Act 2004 and Other Related Matter because certain aspects are burdens to implementation of the programme.

    Speaking in Lagos at a retreat for Senate Committee on Education (Basic & Secondary),   Executive Secretary, Hamid Bobboyi, said there have been changes and developments since its enactment 20 years ago.

    He said education should respond to our needs and aspirations, adding we should abide by best global practices.

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    Former Ogun State Governor, Senator Gbenga Daniel, called for National Assembly’s support for more funding and decentralisation of local government schools for efficiency.

    Senate Committee Chair, Lawal Usman, said government should give free education..

    Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, represented by Secretary to State Government, Bimbo Salu-Hudeyin, noted many schools lack facilities for able learning, thus the retreat should strategise on how to mobilise resources, enhance infrastructure and ensure every child learns in a safe and supportive ambience.

  • Why UBEC will review UBE Act 2004, by Executive Secretary

    Why UBEC will review UBE Act 2004, by Executive Secretary

    The Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) has said it is imperative to review the Universal Basic Education Act 2004 and Other Related Matters because certain aspects constitute an encumbrance to the smooth implementation of the Universal Basic Education programme.

     Speaking in Lagos on Friday at the opening of a 2-day retreat for the Senate Committee on Education (Basic & Secondary) with the theme: “Basic Education Implementation in Nigeria: Issues, Challenges and Way Forward”,   Executive Secretary of UBEC, Dr Hamid Bobboyi stressed the need to review the Act  given the changes and developments that have occurred since it enactment 20 years ago.

    Read Also: Why UBEC will review UBE Act 2004, by executive secretary

     He said the  education system should respond to the needs and aspirations of the nation, adding that it was necessary to be abreast of best global practices.

     Former Ogun State governor and serving senator for Ogun East, Gbenga Daniel, who chaired the event called for the support of the National Assembly towards improved funding for education, infrastructural development, training of teachers and decentralisation of local government and schools for efficiency.

    He sought support  for girl-child education, children with disabilities and access to technology in education.

     Chairman Senate Committee on Education (Basic and Secondary), Sen.Lawal Adamu Usman, said equal and adequate education was key development.

  • Why UBEC will review UBE Act 2004, by executive secretary

    Why UBEC will review UBE Act 2004, by executive secretary

    The Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) has said it is imperative to review the Universal Basic Education Act 2004 and other related matters because certain aspects constitute an encumbrance to the smooth implementation of the Universal Basic Education programme.

    Speaking in Lagos on Friday, June 7, at the opening of a 2-day Retreat for the Senate Committee on Education (Basic & Secondary) with the theme: “Basic Education Implementation in Nigeria: Issues, Challenges and Way Forward”, Executive Secretary of UBEC, Dr Hamid Bobboyi stressed the need to review the Act given the changes and developments that have occurred since its enactment twenty years ago.

    He said the education system should respond to the needs and aspirations of the nation, adding that it was necessary to be abreast of best global practices.

    Read Also: UBEC to host Edutech conference to revitalise education system

    Former Ogun State Governor and serving senator for Ogun East, Gbenga Daniel, who chaired the event, called for the support of the National Assembly towards improved funding for education, infrastructural development, training of teachers, and decentralisation of local government and schools for efficiency.

    He sought support for girl-child education, children with disabilities, and access to technology in education.

    Chairman Senate Committee on Education (Basic and Secondary), Sen. Lawal Adamu Usman, said equal and adequate education was a key development, adding that it is the responsibility of every government to provide free education. He urged parents and guardians to ensure every child is educated.

    Lagos state governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, who was represented by Secretary to the State Government, Bimbo Salu-Hudeyin, noted that many schools in the country lack the necessary facilities for a conducive learning environment, thus the retreat is an opportunity to strategise on how to mobilise resources, enhance infrastructural development and ensure that every child learns in a safe and supportive ambiance.

    While reiterating the state’s commitment to education, he said Lagos recognises that the quality of basic education determines the strength of its future leaders, the vibrancy of the economy, and cohesion in communities.

  • UBEC to host Edutech conference to revitalise education system

    UBEC to host Edutech conference to revitalise education system

    The Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) is set to host the 6th edition of the African Education Conference (Edutech) aimed at proffering solutions on revitalising the education system using technology and innovations.

    The Chairman, Board of Trustee, Education First Nigeria, Dr Macjohn Nwabiaola, at a news conference in Abuja on Wednesday, underscored the importance of technology in upscaling educational needs of the people.

    Nwabiaola, who was a former Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Education, said there was a need to come up with speed with global trend as well as change the narratives in our educational pursuit.

    He said: “We are in a world where things are changing and we must ensure that our children can be enabled to compete globally when it comes to education.

    “Some years ago when our students sit for JAMB, it was paper and pencil examination but gradually we made it a Computer Based Test (CBT) which was criticised but here we are CBT has come to stay.

    “Edutech is very critical and we need to look at our policies in education, we need to bring all stakeholders and it will be holistic as children with special needs will be involved.”

    Nwabiaola explained that the education sector was faced with a lot of challenges that must be solved through collaborations.

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    Founder, Education First Nigeria, Moses Imayi, said the organisation and Skool Media had supported over 110 educational institutions through setting up of digital their centres.

    Imayi said the goal was to put technology at the heart of learning in schools across the country, noting that this centres had helped to bridge digital gaps.

    He said: “The conference is an opportunity to mobilise stakeholders to begin to look at the importance of education because if you invest in education, you are investing in the country’s socio-economic development.

    “The conference will serve as a platform to mobilise every stakeholders to begin to popularise the importance of education.”

    The Coordinator, UBEC Digital Resource Centre, Prof. Bashir Galandaci, said the commission underscored the importance of technology in learning which crystallised the basis for hosting the conference.

    Galandaci said UBEC had introduced several digital programmes with the aim of radically transforming basic education in the country.

    The African Edu-Tech Conference is an annual event dedicated to exploring the relationship between education and technology in Africa.

    It provides an essential platform for experts, policymakers, educators, and innovators to collaborate and drive positive change in the educational landscape.

    The goal is to facilitate discussions on leveraging collaboration and partnerships to build sustainable growth in educational technology on the African continent.

  • UBEC training of 1,480 rural teachers to address learning crisis

    UBEC training of 1,480 rural teachers to address learning crisis

    The Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) has begun the training of 1,480 teachers selected from rural and hard-to-reach schools in the 36 states and the Federal Capital territory (FCT).

    The commission said the training was among Federal Government’s efforts to address the growing learning crisis in the country.

    The training, which focuses on the multi-grade and mixed ability approaches to teaching, would have 40 participating teachers enlisted per state.

    Speaking at the opening ceremony yesterday in Abuja, UBEC’s Executive Secretary, Dr. Hamid Bobboyi, said one of the challenges bedevilling the UBE implementation in Nigeria was the inability of some learners to access quality education that translated to improved learning outcomes due to their location.

    He said: “In the rural and hard-to-reach areas, the provision of quality education is challenging as attracting and retaining qualified teachers is difficult. This causes parents/guardians to be less inclined in enrolling their children in school or withdrawing them from school since their education needs are not met.

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    “The general outcry by stakeholders over the dearth of teaching staff in the rural and hard-to-reach schools attests to this fact.”

    Bobboyi, who was represented by the commission’s Deputy Executive Secretary (Technical), Prof. Bala Zakari, said UBEC initiated the capacity building programme on multi-grade/mixed classroom pedagogies for teachers in the rural and hard-to-reach schools to equip them with skills for effective teaching and managing of learners at different levels or grades in class.

    The UBEC boss said the training demonstrated the commitment and interest of the government at providing unfettered and quality basic education to every Nigerian child, notwithstanding their location and background.

    He said: “In a world where classrooms are becoming increasingly diverse and complex, it is essential for teachers to be equipped with strategies that will enable them to effectively engage and support learners, irrespective of their age, ability, interest, and socio-economic background.”

    Commenting on the multi-grade and mixed ability teaching approach, Bobboyi said the method allows teachers to create inclusive and dynamic learning environments where every learner has the opportunity to thrive and succeed.

    He restated the government’s commitment towards addressing the challenges facing effective teaching and learning and to make all learners in Nigeria able to effectively compete with their contemporaries globally.

    UBEC’s Director of Teacher Development, Mayowa Aleshin, said the training underscored the fact that the government was addressing different challenges militating against effective teaching and learning in any location in the country.

    He said: “One of the solutions is the capacity building of teachers to arrest learning poverty in the schools in the Rural and Hard to Reach Areas and to ensure every child in school receives quality education.”

  • UBEC makes case for quality education delivery in States

    UBEC makes case for quality education delivery in States

    The Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) has called on State Universal Basic Education Boards (SUBEBs) to redouble efforts in delivering quality education.

    Executive Secretary of UBEC, Hamid Bobboyi, made the call at a meeting with UBEC and SUBEBs quality assurance officers in Abuja. 

    He said: “As professionals, you need no convincing that quality assurance is an important component of the teaching and learning process. It ensures that school services consistently meet set standards; that content aligns with established educational standards and that the materials are relevant, appropriate, supportive and effective for the learners.

    “The federal government, doesn’t own any school, its the states that have these schools and it is our responsibility to ensure that we work very closely with them in the various areas in teaching on to ensure that quality is assured in our schools in teaching, teaching and learning is taking place properly.”

    The Deputy Executive Secretary (Technical), UBEC, Bala Zakari urged staff of quality assurance departments to take their responsibilities seriously.

    Zakari said: “We can only be sure that all the investment into basic education can only be realized, if the work of quality assurance officers is quite effective.

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    “Because when classrooms are built, furniture provided, text books provided and our teachers are professionally trained, we can ascertain the impact of this if you do your job well.

    “I hope you’ll meet expectations and properly drive the process for which the commission in collaboration with SUBEBs will realize it’s own mandate of implementing basic education in the country. Our single mandate is to ensure that the Nigerian child receives quality basic education.”

  • Reps move to increase UBEC’s allocation from 2% to 4%

    Reps move to increase UBEC’s allocation from 2% to 4%

    … Bill scales second reading in House

    A Bill for the amendment of the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) Act to increase its funding from the consolidated revenue from two per cent to four per cent has passed the second reading in the House of Representatives.

    The Chairman, House Committee on Basic Education and Services, Bako Useni, disclosed this during the committee’s oversight function at the Digital Resource Center built by UBEC in Abuja on Thursday.

    The centre was built for the training of teachers on digital education in Nigeria.

    Bako said the 10th National Assembly saw the need to increase financial resources to the basic education sub-sector for set objectives to be met.

    Sponsored by Muktar Shagaya from Kwara, the proposed legislation aims to amend the UBE Act, 2004, to increase the share of the consolidated revenue fund allocated for UBEC, from two per cent to four per cent.

    This was read for the first time on the floor of the house on November 28, 2023.

    Useni said: “The amendment bill which passed the second reading Yesterday (Wednesday) when concluded will make UBEC stronger.

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    “Since UBEC was established in 2004 to date, a lot has been achieved. However, the House felt that if UBEC is motivated with more funding, it will go a long way in achieving more of what it has achieved.

    “It was on this basis that one of us, Honourable Mukhtar Shagaya proposed an amendment to the UBEC Act to increase funding to UBEC from 2% to 4%/from the consolidated revenue fund.”

    He said the committee was happy with the digital resource centre built by UBEC, as it has always been the desire of the committee to ensure that newer dimensions are introduced to the basic education sector in Nigeria.

    “It is going to bring a new approach to basic education in Nigeria. It is going to improve teachers’ training and content,” he said

    According to him, the committee will ensure continuous oversight function for the sustainability of the Digital Resource Centre like all others under its mandate.