The Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) has directed State Universal Basic Education Boards (SUBEBs) across Nigeria to immediately resolve administrative bottlenecks, utilize tied-up matching grants, and fast-track project delivery to prevent a breakdown in basic education infrastructure.
​The charge was issued on Tuesday during the opening session of the 30th Quarterly Meeting of UBEC Management and SUBEB Executive Chairmen, hosted at the Event Centre in Asaba, Delta State.
​Delivering the executive address at UBEC officials emphasized that state compliance with funding guidelines is now directly tied to international assistance. Specifically, states must demonstrate active implementation of their funds to qualify for the $500 million World Bank-supported HOPE Education Programme.
​To access the global facility, states must meet two strict benchmarks: Access the 2026 UBE Matching Grant through timely payment of state counterpart funding and Achieve at least 50% implementation of their approved 2025 Action Plans.
​Responding on behalf of Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, the Deputy Governor, Sir Monday Onyeme, reassured the commission that the state remains committed to prompt project execution and fiscal transparency.
​”Delta State has drastically reduced its unutilised funds balance to roughly ₦1 billion. We have already executed 90 per cent of our 2025 Action Plan and secured our 2026 matching grant allocations, ensuring our schools receive uninterrupted infrastructural support.” Sir Monday Onyeme remarked.
​Sir Onyeme also highlighted the deployment of Attend360, a state-wide digital monitoring tool designed to track teacher attendance and classroom engagement in real time across primary and junior secondary schools. UBEC leadership commended the system as a scalable innovation for basic education management nationwide.
​Following the formal session, the UBEC management team paid a courtesy visit to the palace of the traditional ruler of Asaba, Prof. Epiphany Azinge, the Asagba of Asaba.
​Addressing the delegation at 2:30 PM, Prof. Azinge urged UBEC and state boards to prioritize marginalized groups, including out-of-school children and learners with special needs, stressing that structural funding must translate directly to classroom impact at the grassroots level.
