FG Approves N3.55 Billion Matching Grants for State UBE Projects
IBADAN/Nigeria: The Federal Government has approved an increase in the statutory allocation of Universal Basic Education (UBE) matching grants available to state governments, raising the amount to N3.55 billion per state for infrastructural projects.
This announcement was made by Dr. Hamid Bobboyi, Executive Secretary of the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC), during a five-day financial training for State Universal Basic Education Boards (SUBEB) Chairmen and Board Secretaries in Ibadan.
Dr. Bobboyi explained that the increased grants, which come from 2% of the consolidated revenue fund, were approved following the passage and presidential assent of the 2024 Appropriation Bill. He emphasized that the grants are in accordance with Section 11 (2) of the UBE Act, 2004, and are aimed at supporting the implementation of basic education projects across the states.
“Each state is now entitled to N3,554,642,584.46 as the 2024 UBE Matching Grant,” Dr. Bobboyi stated. He further clarified that state governments are required to provide an equivalent amount as a counterpart fund to access the 1st to 4th Quarters, 2024 UBE intervention projects.
Previously, states received approximately N1.3 billion per year as matching grants. The significant increase to N3.3 billion per state, combined with the counterpart funding, means that each state can now access up to N6.6 billion for basic education projects.
Dr. Bobboyi highlighted the importance of this increase, noting that while inflation has impacted the value of the grants, the new amount is still substantial and should be effectively utilized by the states.
Additionally, Dr. Bobboyi urged state governments that have not yet accessed the 2023 matching grants, totaling N1,395,784,959.14 as of July 1, 2024, to do so promptly. He stressed the importance of these funds in addressing the challenges in the basic education sub-sector, particularly in reducing the number of out-of-school children.
The Executive Secretary also noted that there are about 46 million children currently enrolled in schools across the country. He reiterated the need for SUBEBs to work collectively to tackle the remaining challenges, including ensuring that all out-of-school children are brought into the education system.
The meeting, which served as a platform for SUBEB Chairmen and Secretaries to discuss challenges and solutions in the basic education sector, was attended by key officials, including Mrs. Olaide Ladipo, Executive Secretary of OYOSUBEB.
