The Executive Secretary, Universal Basic Education Commission, Aisha Garba…Photo Credit: UBEC
Elegbede Abiodun
• Alausa called on stakeholders to ensure that the impact of the programme is visible, measurable, and transformative across all communities.
The Universal Basic Education Commission has unveiled the 2025 cycle of its School-Based Management Committee–School Improvement Programme, introduced a new Learners’ Retention Programme, and released N434.5m as final tranche funding for previously approved projects.
The Executive Secretary, Aisha Garba, who was represented by the Deputy Executive Secretary (Technical), Rasaq Akinyemi, announced this on Thursday in Abuja during the national flag-off ceremony for the 2025 SBMC–SIP.
The event also included the disbursement of final tranche funds for the 2023 and 2024 cycles, as well as the formal unveiling of the Learners’ Retention Programme.
Garba said the interventions are aimed at improving basic education delivery, strengthening community participation, and reducing the number of out-of-school children.
Under the 2025 SBMC-SIP, UBEC announced a total allocation of N5.18 billion to 518 communities across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory.
Each state and the FCT will benefit from 14 schools under the programme, which targets underserved communities with severe infrastructure deficits.
“The flag-off of the 2025 SBMC-SIP demonstrates unequivocally that the Federal Government remains unwavering in its commitment to equitable access, improved infrastructure, and enhanced learning outcomes at the basic education level.
“I am pleased to announce that 518 communities will receive a total sum of N5,180,000,000.00 as the total support funds earmarked for the 2025 SBMC-SIP implementation.
“This translates to 14 schools benefiting from each of the 36 states of the Federation and the Federal Capital Territory,” she explained.
According to UBEC, the intervention will focus on the renovation of dilapidated school buildings, provision of classroom furniture, and improvement of water, sanitation, and hygiene facilities.
Garba said the SBMC-SIP remains one of the commission’s key community-driven initiatives, noting that since its inception, 1,112 schools nationwide have benefited from the programme, with over 13,670 projects initiated across participating communities.
She said, “Since the inception of the SBMC-SIP, the commission has recorded encouraging progress. A total of 1,112 schools have been supported across the 36 states of the Federation and the Federal Capital Territory, with over N1.5bn disbursed across implementation cycles,” with an estimated 400,000 children expected to benefit from improved learning environments.
At the event, UBEC also released N434.5m as final tranche support funds for the 2023 and 2024 SBMC-SIP cycles. The funds are expected to support the completion of 11,484 ongoing projects across the country.
“Today’s disbursement of the 2023 and 2024 SBMC-SIP final tranche support fund in the sum of N434,500,000 will enable beneficiary schools to complete 11,484 ongoing projects across the country,” she stated.
The ES stressed the importance of accountability and proper monitoring in project execution, stating that implementation follows a structured process involving sensitisation, verification, training, and continuous monitoring in collaboration with State Universal Basic Education Boards and School-Based Management Committees.
UBEC also launched the Learner Retention Programme, describing it as a response to economic and social challenges that keep children out of school or lead to early dropout.
The ES explained that the programme will target “one million learners across eight states in its first phase, with a N5bn budget.” It is designed to provide support to vulnerable households, improve school attendance, and encourage completion of basic education.
UBEC said the retention initiative will complement ongoing infrastructure upgrades under the SBMC-SIP by addressing non-financial barriers to education such as poverty and household pressures.
The commission reaffirmed its commitment to reducing Nigeria’s out-of-school children population and improving learning outcomes through collaboration with state governments, development partners, and community structures.
Also speaking, Chairman of the UBEC Board, Umaru Al-Makura, stressed that “government alone cannot deliver quality education without active community ownership.”
He described the funds as a trust placed in communities to improve schools, urging School-Based Management Committees to adhere strictly to established standards, maintain proper records, and ensure transparent execution of projects.
“These funds are not for random spending. They must be tied to clear plans that deliver meaningful impact and improve the well-being of our children,” he said.
Al-Makura added that “regular monitoring would be carried out to ensure compliance”, while also urging communities to develop sustainable strategies for retaining children in school and tackling challenges such as poverty and early withdrawal from education.
Representing the Minister of Education, Maruf Alausa, Director of Basic Education at the Ministry, Dr Folake Davies, said the programme reflects the FG’s commitment to inclusive and equitable education.
Alausa explained that the SBMC-SIP, alongside the learners’ retention programme, aligns with national education policies and global development goals, particularly efforts to reduce the number of out-of-school children.
He noted that the disbursement of the 2023 and 2024 final tranche would enable schools to “complete ongoing projects, procure learning materials, and consolidate earlier gains”, while the 2025 rollout would initiate new interventions to improve teaching and learning conditions.
The minister added, “Education transformation cannot be driven from the centre alone. It shows commitment to learners’ retention support programme as a targeted intervention designed to reduce the number of out-of-school children, particularly in high-volume states.”
Alausa called on stakeholders to ensure that the impact of the programme is visible, measurable, and transformative across all communities.
“The impact of these interventions must be visible, not just on paper, must be very visible in your states, in all the local governments, in every school, must be visible, must be measurable, and transformative,” he urged.
The basic education system is largely supported through federal intervention funds managed by UBEC. The commission works with states and local communities to improve access to schooling, upgrade facilities, and strengthen service delivery at the basic education level.
In recent years, attention has shifted beyond infrastructure to the growing challenge of school enrolment and retention. Economic hardship, insecurity in some regions, and other social pressures have continued to contribute to the number of out-of-school children. This has led to increased focus on interventions that not only improve learning environments but also support children to stay in school and complete their education.
