The Universal Basic Education Commission, UBEC, has disbursed over N5 billion to communities across Nigeria as part of renewed efforts to improve basic education and reduce the number of out-of-school children.
The development was disclosed during the national flag-off of the 2025 School-Based Management Committee School Improvement Programme SBMC-SIP held in Abuja.
Speaking at the event, UBEC Executive Secretary Aisha Garba, said the intervention reflects a broader strategy to strengthen school systems and ensure children remain in classrooms.
“This represents a renewed national commitment to strengthening community participation in school governance and improving learning environments across the country,” she said.
Garba disclosed that N5.18 billion has been earmarked for the programme, targeting 518 communities nationwide, with each state and the Federal Capital Territory benefiting from selected schools.
Represented by the Deputy Executive Secretary Technical, Rasaq Olajuwon Akinyemi, she explained that the funds would focus on rehabilitating damaged school structures, providing classroom furniture and improving water, sanitation and hygiene facilities.
She stressed that beyond enrolment, retention remains a major concern in the education sector.
“Access to education is important, but retention is what ensures that its promise is fulfilled. We must address the realities that force children out of school,” she added.
The UBEC boss noted that the programme also includes the completion of ongoing projects from previous cycles, alongside the release of additional funds to support their execution.
According to her, earlier phases of the initiative have supported over 1,100 schools and led to thousands of interventions across communities.
She added that the commission expects the programme to help return a significant number of children to school.
Also speaking, the Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa, described the initiative as critical to ongoing reforms in the sector.
“These initiatives reaffirm the government’s commitment to ensuring that every school-age child is enrolled, retained, and able to complete basic education,” he said.
Represented by the Director of Basic Education Folake Olatunji-David, the minister said the programme aligns with national education policies and efforts to expand access to learning.
He also urged stakeholders, including state education boards and community leaders, to ensure accountability in the use of funds.
Participants at the event emphasised the need for sustained collaboration to ensure that education interventions translate into measurable improvements in schools across the country.
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