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Sam Philip
The Management Team of the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) and Chairmen of State Universal Basic Education Boards (SUBEBs) from the 36 states of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory had their quarterly meeting in Makurdi, the Benue State.
The high-level meeting themed, “Unaccessed and Un-utilized UBE Matching Grants by the States: The Nigerian Child at the receiving end. Are we doing enough?,” focused on addressing key challenges affecting the success of basic education in Nigeria, particularly the plight of the Nigerian child due to un-accessed and unutilized UBEC matching grants by some States.
Speaking on behalf of the Honourable Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Tunji Alausa, Deputy Director of Basic Education, Mrs Joy Onoja, informed delegates that significant progress had been recorded from previous meeting resolutions, including the ongoing review of the Universal Basic Education Act (2024) and the launch of a $500 million loan-aid Programme to support the education of millions of Nigerian children.
Dr. Alausa reiterated the Education Ministry’s commitment to ensuring that quality basic education remains a fundamental right of every child through strategic partnerships and the implementation of innovative solutions.
Declaring the meeting open at the New Banquet Hall, Government House Makurdi, the Executive Governor of Benue State, Rev. Fr. Dr. Hyacinth Iormem Alia, expressed appreciation to UBEC for choosing Benue as host. He reaffirmed his alignment with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda through reforms and investments in the education sector.
Governor Alia outlined key achievements in the basic education sector in Benue, including prompt access to UBE matching grants, the construction of over 250 school structures, construction of modern Storey building Classrooms; reintroduction of sporting and Creative Arts activities in Public Schools, replacement of chalkboards with whiteboards, implementation of a N75,000 minimum wage for teachers, and the recruitment of over 9,000 teachers through the transparent CBT process.
In her address, UBEC Executive Secretary, Dr. Aisha Garba, highlighted new reforms by the Commission aimed at improving fund flexibility, accountability, and strategic alignment. She commended the Benue State Government for accessing all matching grants, up to the year 2024 without any outstanding balance , describing it as a sign of diligence and prioritization of basic education.
She further appealed for increased allocation from the States to the education sector, noting that with greater financial commitment, over 11,000 schools could be rehabilitated, more than 17,000 teachers trained, enrollment boosted, and the Out-Of-School Children phenomenon drastically reduced.
Earlier, in a welcome address, Executive Chairman of Benue SUBEB, Dr. Grace Adagba, who also serves as the Dean of SUBEB Chairmen in North Central Nigeria, described the meeting as timely, given the pressing challenges in the education sector. She urged her colleagues to use the gathering for deep reflection and decisive action to improve the condition of the Nigerian child.
The Dean of SUBEB Chairmen nationwide, Prof. Shehu Adaramaja, noted that over 20 states had accessed their 2024 matching grants. He appreciated the commitment of these State Governors and appealed to the Federal Government to expedite the assessment process for grants to mitigate the adverse impact of market prices on project delivery.
At the end of the two-day meeting, a communiqué was issued with key resolutions. These included the adoption of a new basic education action plan template for Programme implementation and the revised matching grant allocation formula for improved efficiency.
The event was attended by all Executive Chairmen of SUBEBs from the 36 States and the FCT.
Students from UBE JSS Kanshio and UBEC Model Smart School, Adaka, Makurdi, added colour to the event with captivating performances.