UBEC’s Executive Secretary, Dr. Hamid Bobboyi, has revealed that state governors across Nigeria have neglected to access over ₦135 billion in Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) matching grants meant to improve school infrastructure and learning conditions between 2020 and 2024. Dr. Hamid Bobboyi, revealed that 34 states are yet to claim their 2024 allocations, leaving critical resources untapped despite the dire state of public schools and the country’s staggering 18.3 million out-of-school children.
Only Katsina and Kaduna states accessed their first and second-quarter 2024 matching grants, while 27 states failed to utilize funds between 2020 and 2023. These unclaimed funds are intended to build classrooms, supply learning materials, and train teachers, yet poor administrative practices have left schools struggling. Dr. Bobboyi noted that ₦103.28 billion was allocated in 2023, with only ₦21 billion accessed, representing a mere 54% utilization rate.
The crisis is particularly severe in regions with the highest numbers of out-of-school children. In the North, Kano leads with 1.89 million children, followed by Katsina with 1.4 million. Similarly, in the South-West, Lagos has over 700,000 children out of school, while Ogun accounts for over 620,000. Despite these alarming figures, states like Ogun (₦4.26 billion), Abia (₦4.28 billion), and Imo (₦3.54 billion) have left billions of Naira unutilized for years.
Education experts have decried the governors’ inaction, linking it to poor funding, corruption, and a lack of political will. Malik Adesegun, founder of Education for All, labeled the dormant funds as a betrayal of Nigeria’s children, emphasizing the need for governors to access and utilize the funds immediately. Similarly, Prof. Ayodeji Olukoju of Chrisland University described the neglect as “insensitive” and a threat to national progress.
Stakeholders have urged a strategic overhaul to prioritize education, including incentives like free meals and enhanced safety in schools. Educationist Dr. Adeolu Onakoya emphasized the necessity of rediscovering education’s value, arguing that no nation can thrive without a robust education sector. Until governors act decisively, millions of Nigerian children remain at risk of lifelong disadvantage.