- FG Plans to Increase UBEC Funding to 5% for Better Basic Education
- This is aimed at improving basic education across the country.
- This announcement comes after the House of Representatives proposed changes to the law on basic education
The Federal Government has revealed plans to raise the share of funds given to the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) from two percent to five percent of the Consolidated Revenue Fund (CRF).
This is aimed at improving basic education across the country.
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The Minister of Education, Dr. Olatunji Alausa, shared this information in Abuja, explaining that the government is committed to ensuring steady and reliable funding for education.
He stated that with plans to extend basic education to include secondary school—making it a total of 12 years—there is a need for more money to build schools, train teachers, and provide learning materials.
Dr. Alausa mentioned that this decision follows international best practices and supports the goals of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 4 (SDG4), which aims to provide quality education for everyone.
He added that including secondary school in basic education will help more children stay in school and complete their education, as it will be free and compulsory up to the age of 16. This will reduce the number of school dropouts by removing financial struggles and other challenges that stop children from finishing school.
This announcement comes after the House of Representatives proposed changes to the law on basic education. A bill sponsored by Hon. Tolani Muktar Shagaya seeks to increase UBEC’s funding from two percent to four percent. The goal is to bring Nigeria closer to the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) recommendation that countries should spend at least 15 to 20 percent of their national budget on education.
During a parliamentary debate, Shagaya, who is the Deputy Chairman of the House Committee on Basic Education and Services, emphasized the importance of proper funding for UBEC. He explained that even though UBEC was created in 1999 to improve basic education, there are still many challenges, including the high number of out-of-school children.
Shagaya stressed that increasing funding will allow schools to introduce modern teaching methods, train teachers better, and improve the overall quality of education. He said the proposed amendment is not just an option but a necessary investment in the future of Nigerian children and the country as a whole.
To support this effort, Dr. Alausa confirmed that he would personally meet with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to push for the funding increase. He assured that if the request is approved, the additional money will be used to build more schools, train teachers, and improve learning conditions.
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He also emphasized the need to strengthen early childhood education and ensure that public schools prepare students with the knowledge and skills they need for further education and future careers.
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