The Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) says it has recovered more than ₦100 billion in previously unclaimed matching grants while expanding school infrastructure, teacher development and digital learning across Nigeria under its 2025–2031 Strategic Blueprint.
UBEC Executive Secretary, Aisha Garba, disclosed this during a media luncheon with education correspondents in Abuja on Thursday. According to Garba, the commission, in collaboration with State Universal Basic Education Boards (SUBEBs), has constructed over 4,600 classrooms, renovated more than 6,100 classrooms, provided 2,780 toilets and 678 boreholes, and supplied over 334,000 pieces of school furniture nationwide.
She added that UBEC has also supported the establishment of more than 2,300 Early Childhood Care Development and Education (ECCDE) Centres to strengthen foundational education for young learners.
Garba said the achievements are driven by the strategic blueprint of the commission, which aligns with the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope Agenda;
“Guided by our 2025 to 2031 Strategic Blueprint and aligned with the Renewed Hope Agenda of the Federal Government, we are moving beyond reforms to delivering measurable results that are improving schools, empowering teachers and expanding opportunities for millions of Nigerian children” – Aisha Garba, UBEC Executive Secretary
Garba revealed that UBEC has invested over ₦20.4 billion in professional training programmes while strengthening school governance through the Effective Schools Programme and School-Based Management Committees.
She also restates the drive of the commission toward technology-driven education. She stated UBEC’s plan to expand Digital Literacy Centres, strengthening Smart Schools, and promoting artificial intelligence (AI), coding and robotics in basic education.
According to her, more than 7.8 million instructional materials have been distributed across the country to improve literacy and numeracy outcomes.
Garba stated that the commission is widening access to education through Open Schooling, Integrated Qur’anic and Tsangaya Education, girl-child education, and inclusive education programmes.
She added that institutional reforms have been introduced to improve transparency, project monitoring and data-driven decision-making.
She therefore called on the media to continue partnering with the commission through balanced reporting, regular briefings and project visits to strengthen public confidence and stakeholder participation.
