FG Targets School Retention as UBEC Disburses N5bn to Communities

FG Targets School Retention as UBEC Disburses N5bn to Communities
Each state including the Federal Capital Territory, will receive support for 14 schools
Garba noted that 13,670 projects have been initiated nationwide

The Federal Government, through the Universal Basic Education Commission, has disbursed over N5 billion to 518 communities nationwide under the School-Based Management Committee–School Improvement Programme (SBMC-SIP).

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Eko Hot Blog reports that the intervention is part of ongoing efforts to improve basic education and reduce the number of out-of-school children across the country.

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Speaking at the national launch of the 2025 SBMC-SIP rollout in Abuja, UBEC Executive Secretary, Aisha Garba, said the initiative underscores the government’s commitment to strengthening school infrastructure, boosting community participation and ensuring children remain in school through completion.

She revealed that N5.18 billion has been set aside for the 2025 programme, with 518 communities benefiting. Each state, including the Federal Capital Territory, will receive support for 14 schools.

Represented by UBEC’s Deputy Executive Secretary (Technical), Rasaq Akinyemi, she explained that the funds would be directed mainly at underserved areas.

“This represents a renewed national commitment to strengthening community participation in school governance, improving learning environments across the Federation, and ensuring that every Nigerian child not only enrolls in school but remains in school to successfully complete basic education,” she said.

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Garba added that the initiative would focus on rehabilitating dilapidated school structures, providing classroom furniture and improving water, sanitation and hygiene facilities.

She also highlighted that the event marked multiple milestones, including a review of past programme cycles, the disbursement of final funds for earlier phases, and the official rollout of the 2025 programme alongside a new learner-focused intervention.

“The event brings together four significant moments in one… Collectively, these actions reflect a deliberate and integrated strategy to strengthen school governance, improve infrastructure, deepen community ownership, and systematically address the barriers that keep children out of school or push them out before completion,” she stated.

According to her, the programme has already made measurable impact, with more than 1,112 schools supported and over N1.5 billion disbursed in previous cycles.

She noted that 13,670 projects have been initiated nationwide, with expectations that more than 400,000 children will be brought back into the school system.

Garba further announced the release of N434.5 million as the final tranche for the 2023 and 2024 cycles, aimed at completing 11,484 ongoing projects.

In addition, UBEC unveiled the Learner Retention Support Programme, which will target one million pupils across eight states in its first phase, backed by a N5 billion budget.

She explained that the programme is designed to tackle socio-economic barriers to education, reduce dropout rates and encourage sustained school attendance.

In his keynote address, the Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa, described the initiatives as key to achieving inclusive and quality education across the country.

“These initiatives reaffirm government’s commitment to ensuring that every school-age child is enrolled, retained, and able to complete basic education,” he said.

Represented by the Director of Basic Education, Dr Folake Olatunji-David, the minister noted that the programmes align with national policies and global targets, including the Sustainable Development Goals, particularly Goal 4 on quality education.

He also called on stakeholders, including SUBEBs, local authorities and community leaders, to ensure transparency and accountability in the use of the funds, stressing that the success of the intervention depends on effective implementation at the grassroots.