The Federal Government, through the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC), has disbursed over N5 billion to 518 communities across Nigeria under the School-Based Management Committee–School Improvement Programme (SBMC-SIP). This initiative aims to strengthen basic education delivery and address the challenge of out-of-school children.
Details of the Disbursement
Speaking at the national launch of the 2025 SBMC-SIP rollout in Abuja, the Executive Secretary of UBEC, Dr. Aisha Garba, stated that the N5.18 billion allocated for the programme will support 518 communities nationwide. Each state and the Federal Capital Territory will benefit from 14 schools. The intervention will prioritize underserved areas, focusing on rehabilitating dilapidated structures, providing classroom furniture, and improving water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) facilities.
Dr. Garba, represented by the Deputy Executive Secretary (Technical), Rasaq Akinyemi, emphasized that this represents a renewed national commitment to strengthening community participation in school governance and improving learning environments. She noted that the event marked four significant moments: a review of progress under the 2023 and 2024 SBMC-SIP cycles, the formal disbursement of the final tranche support funds, the national flag-off of the 2025 programme, and the launch of the Learner Retention Programme.
Impact of Previous Cycles
The SBMC-SIP has supported over 1,112 schools across the country, with more than N1.5 billion disbursed in previous cycles. A total of 13,670 projects have been initiated nationwide, expected to attract over 400,000 children back to school. Additionally, UBEC disbursed N434.5 million as the final tranche of the 2023 and 2024 SBMC-SIP funds to complete 11,484 ongoing projects.
Learner Retention Support Programme
The Commission also launched the Learner Retention Support Programme, targeting one million pupils across eight states in its first phase, with a budget of N5 billion. This initiative addresses socio-economic barriers that hinder school attendance and aims to reduce dropout rates.
Minister's Remarks
In his keynote address, the Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, described the initiatives as critical to the Federal Government's strategy for strengthening basic education. Represented by the Director of Basic Education, Dr. Folake Olatunji-David, Alausa emphasized that the programmes align with national policies and global commitments, such as Sustainable Development Goal 4. He urged stakeholders to ensure transparency and accountability in fund utilization for effective implementation.
