UBEC N5.18bn education intervention launched to improve schools, boost retention, and reduce out-of-school children across Nigeria

The Universal Basic Education Commission has disbursed over N5.18 billion under its latest intervention programme aimed at strengthening basic education infrastructure and reducing the number of out-of-school children across Nigeria.

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UBEC’s N5.18bn School Improvement Intervention was formally announced during the national flag-off of the 2025 School-Based Management Committee School Improvement Programme (SBMC-SIP) held in Abuja, where officials outlined plans to upgrade learning conditions in hundreds of communities.

Executive Secretary of UBEC, Aisha Garba, said the initiative reflects a renewed national commitment to improving school governance and learning environments through community participation.

Aisha Garba, represented at the event by the Deputy Executive Secretary (Technical), Rasaq Olajuwon Akinyemi, explained that the funds would support the rehabilitation of damaged classrooms, provision of furniture, and improvement of water, sanitation, and hygiene facilities in schools.

She noted that 518 communities nationwide are expected to benefit, with allocations spread across all states and the Federal Capital Territory, describing retention as a critical challenge alongside access to education.

“Access to education is important, but retention is what ensures that its promise is fulfilled,” Aisha Garba said, stressing the need to address factors pushing children out of school.

Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa, described the programme as a key pillar of ongoing education reforms aimed at ensuring that every school-age child is enrolled, retained, and completes basic education.

Represented by Director of Basic Education Folake Olatunji-David, Tunji Alausa urged stronger accountability among stakeholders, including state education boards and community leaders, to ensure effective use of the intervention funds.

Officials also confirmed that the programme will support the completion of ongoing projects from previous cycles, with expectations that it will significantly improve school participation rates nationwide.

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Education stakeholders at the event called for sustained collaboration between government and communities, describing the intervention as a vital step toward delivering lasting improvements in Nigeria’s basic education system.