The Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) has launched the 2025 cycle of its School-Based Management Committee School Improvement Programme (SBMC-SIP), alongside a new Learners’ Retention Programme, and released ₦434.5 million as final tranche funding for previously approved education projects.
The Executive Secretary of UBEC, Aisha Garba, represented by the Deputy Executive Secretary (Technical), Rasaq Akinyemi, announced the initiatives on Thursday in Abuja during the national flag-off ceremony for the 2025 SBMC-SIP.
The event also featured the disbursement of final tranche funds for the 2023 and 2024 cycles, as well as the formal unveiling of the Learners’ Retention Programme aimed at reducing dropout rates and improving school attendance nationwide.
Garba said the interventions are designed to strengthen basic education delivery, deepen community participation, and tackle the persistent challenge of out-of-school children.
Under the 2025 SBMC-SIP, UBEC approved a total of ₦5.18 billion for 518 communities across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory. Each state and the FCT will benefit from 14 schools targeted under the programme.
“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,” she said.
According to her, the funds will support renovation of dilapidated classrooms, provision of furniture, and improvement of water, sanitation, and hygiene facilities in underserved schools.
Since inception, she noted that the SBMC-SIP has supported 1,112 schools nationwide, with over ₦1.5 billion disbursed across implementation cycles and more than 13,670 community-based projects initiated.
Garba also announced the release of ₦434.5 million as final tranche funding for the 2023 and 2024 cycles, which will enable the completion of 11,484 ongoing projects across the country.
She stressed 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.
A major highlight of the event was the unveiling of the Learners’ Retention Programme, which targets one million children across eight states in its first phase, with a budget of ₦5 billion.
The initiative is designed to address poverty-related barriers, improve attendance, and reduce dropout rates by supporting vulnerable households and encouraging school completion.
UBEC said the programme will complement infrastructure interventions by addressing non-financial factors affecting education access.
Chairman of the UBEC Board, Umaru Al-Makura, emphasized the need for accountability and community ownership in project execution, noting that government alone cannot deliver quality education.
“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, adding that monitoring mechanisms would ensure compliance.
Representing the Minister of Education, Dr. Folake Davies, Director of Basic Education, reaffirmed that the programme aligns with national education priorities and global targets on reducing the number of out-of-school children.
She noted that the interventions would help complete ongoing projects, improve learning materials, and enhance school environments across participating communities.
UBEC reiterated its commitment to improving access to quality basic education through collaboration with state governments, development partners, and local communities, while intensifying efforts to reduce Nigeria’s out-of-school children population.
Elijah Adeyemi
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