The funds had been disbursed to State Universal Basic Education Boards but remained unexpended as of July 21, 2025, when UBEC conducted financial monitoring visits across the states and the Federal Capital Territory.
Benue recorded the highest reported balance at ₦19.18bn, followed by Imo with ₦14.12bn, Osun with ₦14.02bn, Kwara with ₦13.99bn and Delta with ₦13.40bn. Together, the five states accounted for ₦74.72bn of the total.
The reported balances come amid ongoing challenges in public education, including deteriorating school buildings, overcrowded classrooms and shortages of furniture and learning materials. UBEC matching grants can support approved projects such as classroom construction and renovation, sanitation facilities, instructional materials and teacher development.
Under the matching-grant arrangement, states are generally required to provide counterpart funding and submit approved action plans to access federal intervention funds.
The report does not establish why each state failed to spend its balance, whether the figures have since changed or how responsibility is divided between successive administrations. The amounts should therefore not be interpreted as proof of misappropriation.
The figures raise questions about fund management, project implementation and accountability, as education stakeholders call for public resources to translate into improved school facilities and learning conditions.
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Summary
A UBEC annual report says ₦264.12bn in basic education matching grants remained unspent in state accounts as of July 2025, even as public schools face dilapidated classrooms, overcrowding and shortages of learning materials. Benue recorded the highest reported balance at ₦19.18bn. State governments across Nigeria had ₦264.12bn in Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) matching grants remaining unspent in...
Key takeaways
- A UBEC annual report says ₦264.12bn in basic education matching grants remained unspent in state accounts as of July 2025, even as public schools face dilapidated classrooms, overcrowding and shortages of learning materials.
- Benue recorded the highest reported balance at ₦19.18bn.
- State governments across Nigeria had ₦264.12bn in Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) matching grants remaining unspent in their accounts, according to the commission’s 2025 annual report cited in a report published on October 29.The funds had been disbursed to State Universal Basic Education Boards but remained unexpended as of July 21, 2025, when UBEC conducted financial monitoring visits across the states and the Federal Capital Territory.Benue recorded the highest reported balance at ₦19.18bn, followed by Imo with ₦14.12bn, Osun with ₦14.02bn, Kwara with ₦13.99bn and Delta with ₦13.40bn.
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What is this story about?
A UBEC annual report says ₦264.12bn in basic education matching grants remained unspent in state accounts as of July 2025, even as public schools face dilapidated classrooms, overcrowding and shortages of learning materials. Benue recorded the highest reported balance at ₦19.18bn. State governments across Nigeria had ₦264.12bn in Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) matching grants remaining unspent in...
Who published this story?
Glow 99.1 FM published this story with GlowRy Atuah listed as author.
When was it published?
October 29, 2026
