The Nigerian Federal Government has approved a significant increase in the matching grants allocated to state governments for infrastructure projects under the Universal Basic Education (UBE) program. The new grant amount has been raised to N3.5 billion, marking a substantial increase from the previous amount.
Dr. Hamid Bobboyi, the Executive Secretary of the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC), announced the increase during a five-day financial training session for State Universal Basic Education Boards (SUBEB) Chairmen and Board Secretaries in Ibadan. The decision follows the passage of the 2024 Appropriation Bill, which has been signed into law by the President.
The increased matching grant is supported by two percent of the consolidated revenue fund allocated for basic education in Nigeria. Dr. Bobboyi clarified that this boost aligns with Section 11 (2) of the UBE Act, 2004. According to this new provision, each state government must contribute an equivalent N3.5 billion to match the grant and support UBE intervention projects throughout the first to fourth quarters of 2024.
Previously, states received around N1.3 billion annually in matching grants. This new allocation raises the grant to approximately N3.3 billion, providing a considerable boost to the funding available for educational infrastructure.
Dr. Bobboyi also urged state governments that have not yet accessed the 2023 matching grant—totaling N1.4 billion as of July 1, 2024—to do so promptly. With the increased grant, states are expected to provide matching funds of N3.3 billion, thereby receiving a total of around N6.6 billion.
He acknowledged the impact of inflation on grant values but expressed optimism about the increased amount. Dr. Bobboyi emphasized that this significant funding boost is crucial for addressing educational needs, provided it is utilized effectively.
In his remarks, Dr. Bobboyi highlighted the challenge of managing approximately 46 million children currently in schools across Nigeria. He encouraged SUBEB chairmen and secretaries to collaborate closely to address remaining issues, such as out-of-school children.
The meeting in Ibadan was attended by SUBEB chairmen, permanent secretaries, and executive secretaries from across the country, focusing on tackling challenges and improving the basic education sector.
