Why States Can't Access N68bn Basic Education Fund

The Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC), has expressed concern over trapped N68 billion basic education development cash, lamenting that states access to the funds has been hampered by some bottlenecks inherent in the implementation framework.

The UBEC executive secretary, Aisha Garba, who disclosed this at the opening of a two – day workshop for officials of the Commission at CEEDAPEQ Hotels and Suites, Uyo, the Akwa Ibom State capital, urged policies implementers to embrace the revised Basic Education Action Plan (BEAP) template for a smooth process.

According to Garba, who was represented by her special assistant (PA), Ibrahim Gold, the BEAP system has the potential of removing the barriers impinging states’ access to the dormant funds specifically devoted to improving basic education in Nigeria.

The training workshop, LEADERSHIP learnt, aimed at exposing South South States Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) Directors and Desk Officers of the Department of Physical Planning responsible for planning and execution of action plans in their various states to key innovations to be imbibed in the scheme.

She noted that the failure by states to meet the basic requirements for accessing the dormant funds “is induced by associated complexities due to slow utilisation and systemic inefficiencies.”

“This capacity building workshop is in line with reforms, especially in the area of developing work plans to access the UBE Intervention Funds.

“The thinking in the Commission is to have only one work plan for the different envelopes of the intervention funds i.e. Matching Grants, Teacher Professional Development, Special Needs etc.

“Therefore, the need to come up with workable and user friendly templates for the preparation of work plans to replace the existing one that has been in operation for over two decades.” Garba added.

She recalled that a similar workshop was held for Northern States in Kano with encouraging performance and feedback, urging participants in the South -South forum to emerge with better performance.

Officially unveiled in Makurdi, Benue State on May 25, 2025, the BEAP upgrade, it was learnt, would champion results-based planning and financial accountability with participants expected to understand the revised financing mechanisms, and ensure they have all that is needed to drive meaningful change at their various states.

Sadiq Saiad, director Physical Planning, UBEC and the executive chairman, Akwa Ibom SUBEB, Dr Aniette Etuk, both implored participants to be attentive to grab the intended impulse of the training workshop.