Fresh revelations highlight that 27 states have failed to access a total of ₦54.9 billion from the Universal Basic Education fund due to inadequate counterpart funding. This exacerbates Nigeria’s education underdevelopment, with the funds remaining unused despite the significant number of out-of-school children nationwide.
According to data from UBEC as of March, this neglect underscores the governors’ lackadaisical approach to advancing grassroots human capital development, necessitating urgent action from the affected governors.
For instance, in 2023 alone, Kaduna failed to access ₦1.3 billion, while Kano missed out on ₦581 million. Similarly, Katsina and Kebbi states failed to access ₦1.3 billion each in the same year. Adamawa and Bauchi also missed out on funds in 2022 (₦1.2 billion) and 2023 (₦1.3 billion) respectively.
Gombe and Yobe didn’t access ₦1.3 billion each in 2023. Benue, Kwara, and Niger states have individual backlogs of ₦2.6 billion each, having failed to access intervention funds in 2022 and 2023. Kogi, Plateau states, and the FCT currently have ₦1.3 billion each unutilized, while Ekiti and Lagos states missed out on ₦1.3 billion each in 2023.
Further analysis reveals that Ogun and Abia missed out on ₦4.2 billion each from 2020 to 2023. Rivers has ₦697 million yet to be accessed. Osun and Oyo states currently have ₦1.3 billion and ₦2.6 billion respectively with the commission.
Anambra, Ebonyi, and Imo states have significant amounts yet to be accessed, totaling ₦2.6 billion, ₦2.6 billion, and ₦3.5 billion respectively. Akwa Ibom and Bayelsa missed out on ₦1.3 billion each in 2023, while Edo has ₦2.6 billion yet to be accessed from the 2022 and 2023 disbursements.
The total amount unclaimed by states in 2020, 2021, 2022, and 2023 stands at ₦1.4 billion, ₦2.8 billion, ₦14.4 billion, and ₦36.1 billion respectively.
In contrast, Jigawa, Sokoto, Zamfara, Borno, Taraba, Ondo, Delta, Nasarawa, and Enugu have fully accessed their funds, setting a commendable example.
While the constitution mandates states with primary education, the Federal Government supports standards, infrastructure, teacher training, and more. However, many governors are disconnected from the UBEC scheme, leading to negative consequences for Nigerian children, including child labor, high dropout rates, and juvenile delinquency.
To address these challenges, state governors must actively engage stakeholders, provide free primary education, ensure secure learning environments, and deploy qualified and motivated teachers. They should also enforce the Child’s Rights Act, contribute counterpart funding to access UBE funds, and ensure transparent and accountable use of allocated funds, as highlighted by a 2019 EFCC accusation against a former governor for diverting UBEC funds.
