UBEC disburses N10.61bn for school renovation, learner retention

The Universal Basic Education Commission has disbursed a combined N10.61bn to support school renovation projects, completion of ongoing works, and a new learner retention initiative across the country.

The interventions include N5.18bn released under the 2025 School-Based Management Committee–School Improvement Programme, N434.5m as final tranche funding for the 2023 and 2024 cycles, and N5bn earmarked for a new Learners’ Retention Programme.

Executive Secretary of UBEC, Aisha Garba, represented by the Deputy Executive Secretary (Technical), Rasaq Akinyemi, announced this on Thursday in Abuja during the national flag-off of the 2025 SBMC-SIP.

Garba said the interventions reflect the Federal Government’s commitment to strengthening basic education delivery, improving infrastructure, and reducing the number of out-of-school children.

Under the 2025 SBMC-SIP cycle, she said 518 communities across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory would benefit, with 14 schools selected per state.

“The flag-off of the 2025 SBMC-SIP demonstrates the Federal Government’s unwavering commitment to equitable access, improved infrastructure, and enhanced learning outcomes at the basic education level,” she said.

She added that a total of N5.18bn had been allocated for implementation across beneficiary communities.

According to her, the intervention will focus on the renovation of dilapidated classroom blocks, provision of furniture, and improvement of water, sanitation, and hygiene facilities in public schools.

Garba explained that since its inception, the SBMC-SIP has supported 1,112 schools nationwide, with over 13,670 projects initiated and an estimated 400,000 learners benefiting from improved learning environments.

She further disclosed that UBEC released N434.5m as the final tranche support for the 2023 and 2024 cycles, enabling the completion of 11,484 ongoing projects across the country.

“Today’s disbursement will enable beneficiary schools to complete ongoing projects and consolidate earlier gains,” she said.

Garba stressed that implementation is structured through sensitisation, verification, training, and monitoring in collaboration with State Universal Basic Education Boards and School-Based Management Committees to ensure accountability.

She also announced the launch of a new Learners’ Retention Programme, designed to address economic and social barriers responsible for school dropout rates.

The programme, she said, would target one million learners across eight states in its first phase, backed by a N5bn budget.

It is expected to provide support to vulnerable households, improve attendance, and ensure completion of basic education.

Chairman of the UBEC Board, Umaru Al-Makura, said the success of the interventions depends on strong community ownership.

“These funds are a trust placed in communities. They must be properly managed to deliver meaningful impact for our children,” he said.

He urged School-Based Management Committees to ensure transparency, proper record-keeping, and strict adherence to project specifications.

Representing the Minister of Education, Maruf Alausa, Director of Basic Education, Folake Davies, said the programmes align with national education priorities and global development goals.

She noted that the interventions would help complete ongoing projects, improve learning conditions, and strengthen efforts to reduce the number of out-of-school children.

“The impact of these interventions must be visible, measurable, and transformative across all communities,” she said.

UBEC said the combined interventions reflect its dual focus on improving infrastructure and addressing non-financial barriers to education, as Nigeria continues efforts to expand access and improve outcomes in the basic education sector.