Breaking News: NGF Uncovers Obstacles Preventing States From Accessing N64 Billion UBEC Fund

Breaking News: NGF Uncovers Obstacles Preventing States From Accessing N64 Billion UBEC Fund

The Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) is urging a revision of the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) Act to address the issue of 20 million out-of-school children in the country. The NGF’s call comes in light of a significant amount, N64 billion, remaining inaccessible in the UBEC fund designated for state governments to enhance access to quality basic education…CONTINUE READING

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According to Part III, Section 41 of the UBEC Act 2004, states must contribute a minimum of 50% of the total project cost to qualify for the Federal Government block grant. The NGF’s Education Advisor, Dr. Ebenezer Leo The Great, revealed in an interview with Saturday PUNCH that the N64 billion is immobilized due to states struggling to raise the required 50% counterpart funds.

Despite the UBEC Act proclaiming free and compulsory basic education for all Nigerian children, over 20 million are still out of school. Dr. Leo The Great emphasized the need for an accelerated basic education program for those who missed formal education, aiming to provide foundational literacy and numeracy and integrate them into the mainstream school system.

Dr. Leo The Great stressed the importance of states supporting the provision of essential resources for each child to attend school. He pointed out that it is detrimental to the Federal Government, states, and Nigerians if the funds in UBEC remain inaccessible due to the inability to pay the 50% counterpart fund.

To address this challenge, the NGF is advocating for a modification of the UBEC Act, specifically to reduce the matching grant or counterpart fund. Dr. Leo The Great explained that states face difficulty accessing the N64 billion in UBEC funds due to varying fiscal balances among states. Some states have sufficient funds through statutory allocations and internally generated revenue, while others lack the fiscal balance necessary to contribute the required counterpart funds. The proposed amendment aims to create a more feasible financial arrangement for states to access the UBEC fund and address the pressing issue of out-of-school children in Nigeria.

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Source; Bushradiogist