By Kwin Israel, The Sight News
The Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC), has facilitated the mobilisation of over ₦100 billion in previously unaccessed matching grants by state governments and the Federal Capital Territory, providing a major boost to the delivery of basic education infrastructure and services across Nigeria.
Executive Secretary of UBEC, Dr. Aisha Garba, disclosed this on Thursday in Abuja during a media luncheon with education correspondents, where she outlined the Commission’s achievements and strategic priorities under its 2025–2031 Strategic Blueprint.
Dr. Garba said the recovered funds are being invested in improving learning environments nationwide through the construction and rehabilitation of schools, provision of learning facilities and expansion of access to quality basic education.
According to her, UBEC, in partnership with State Universal Basic Education Boards (SUBEBs), has constructed more than 4,600 classrooms, renovated over 6,100 classrooms, provided 2,780 toilets and 678 boreholes, while supplying more than 334,000 pieces of school furniture to public schools.
She added that the Commission has also supported the establishment of over 2,300 Early Childhood Care Development and Education (ECCDE) Centres, aimed at giving young learners a stronger educational foundation.
On teacher development, the UBEC boss revealed that the Commission has invested more than ₦20.4 billion in professional training programmes to improve classroom instruction, strengthen school leadership and enhance accountability through the Effective Schools Programme and School-Based Management Committees.
She said the Commission is equally prioritising digital transformation by expanding Digital Literacy Centres, strengthening Smart Schools and promoting the teaching of artificial intelligence, coding and robotics to equip learners with skills required in a technology-driven economy.
The UBEC boss disclosed that over 7.8 million instructional materials have also been distributed to schools across the country to improve literacy, numeracy and foundational learning outcomes.
She noted that UBEC is expanding educational access through initiatives such as Open Schooling, Integrated Qur’anic and Tsangaya Education, girl-child education and inclusive education programmes, while strengthening collaboration with state governments, development partners and the private sector.
She added that the Commission has introduced institutional reforms to improve transparency, strengthen project monitoring and promote data-driven decision-making to ensure better value for public investments in education.
Dr. Garba described the media as a critical partner in advancing basic education reforms, urging journalists to sustain balanced, factual and constructive reporting that promotes transparency, builds public confidence and encourages greater stakeholder participation.
She reaffirmed UBEC’s commitment to ensuring that every Nigerian child, regardless of background or location, has access to safe, inclusive, equitable and quality basic education, stressing that lasting transformation requires the collective efforts of government, communities, parents, teachers, development partners and the media.
