The Universal Basic Education Commission has introduced the 2025 phase of its School Based Management Committee School Improvement Programme, launched a new Learners’ Retention Programme, and disbursed N434.5m as the final tranche for previously approved projects.
The Executive Secretary, Aisha Garba, represented by the Deputy Executive Secretary Technical, Rasaq Akinyemi, made this known on Thursday in Abuja during the national flag off of the 2025 SBMC SIP.
The occasion also featured the release of final tranche funds for the 2023 and 2024 cycles, alongside the official unveiling of the Learners’ Retention Programme.
Garba explained that the initiatives are designed to enhance basic education delivery, boost community involvement, and reduce the number of out of school children.
Under the 2025 SBMC SIP, UBEC disclosed a total allocation of N5.18 billion to 518 communities across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory.
Each state and the FCT will have 14 schools benefiting from the programme, which focuses on underserved communities facing serious infrastructure challenges.
“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.
“I am pleased to announce that 518 communities will receive a total sum of N5,180,000,000.00 as the total support funds earmarked for the 2025 SBMC-SIP implementation.
“This translates to 14 schools benefiting from each of the 36 states of the Federation and the Federal Capital Territory,” she explained.
According to UBEC, the intervention will prioritise the renovation of dilapidated school structures, provision of classroom furniture, and improvement of water, sanitation, and hygiene facilities.
Garba noted that the SBMC SIP remains one of the commission’s major community driven programmes, adding that since its inception, 1,112 schools nationwide have benefited, with over 13,670 projects executed across participating communities.
She said, “Since the inception of the SBMC-SIP, the commission has recorded encouraging progress. A total of 1,112 schools have been supported across the 36 states of the Federation and the Federal Capital Territory, with over N1.5bn disbursed across implementation cycles,” with about 400,000 children expected to benefit from improved learning environments.
At the event, UBEC also released N434.5m as final tranche funds for the 2023 and 2024 SBMC SIP cycles, expected to support the completion of 11,484 ongoing projects nationwide.
“Today’s disbursement of the 2023 and 2024 SBMC-SIP final tranche support fund in the sum of N434,500,000 will enable beneficiary schools to complete 11,484 ongoing projects across the country,” she stated.
The Executive Secretary emphasised the need for accountability and proper monitoring during project execution, explaining that implementation follows a structured process involving sensitisation, verification, training, and continuous monitoring in partnership with State Universal Basic Education Boards and School Based Management Committees.
UBEC also introduced the Learner Retention Programme, describing it as a response to economic and social factors that keep children out of school or cause early dropout.
The ES explained that the programme will target “one million learners across eight states in its first phase, with a N5bn budget.” It is designed to support vulnerable households, improve school attendance, and encourage completion of basic education.
UBEC stated that the retention initiative will complement ongoing infrastructure upgrades under the SBMC SIP by addressing non financial barriers to education such as poverty and household pressures.
The commission reaffirmed its commitment to reducing Nigeria’s out of school children population and improving learning outcomes through collaboration with state governments, development partners, and communities.
Also speaking, Chairman of the UBEC Board, Umaru Al Makura, stressed that “government alone cannot deliver quality education without active community ownership.”
He described the funds as a trust placed in communities to improve schools and urged School Based Management Committees to strictly follow guidelines, maintain accurate records, and ensure transparency in project execution.
“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.
Al Makura added that “regular monitoring would be carried out to ensure compliance”, while also urging communities to adopt sustainable strategies to retain children in school and address challenges such as poverty and early withdrawal from education.
Representing the Minister of Education, Maruf Alausa, the Director of Basic Education at the ministry, Dr Folake Davies, said the programme reflects the Federal Government’s commitment to inclusive and equitable education.
Alausa explained that the SBMC SIP, alongside the learners’ retention programme, aligns with national education policies and global development goals, particularly efforts to reduce the number of out of school children.
He noted that the disbursement of the 2023 and 2024 final tranche would enable schools to “complete ongoing projects, procure learning materials, and consolidate earlier gains”, while the 2025 rollout would introduce new measures to improve teaching and learning conditions.
The minister added, “Education transformation cannot be driven from the centre alone. It shows commitment to learners’ retention support programme as a targeted intervention designed to reduce the number of out-of-school children, particularly in high-volume states.”
Alausa called on stakeholders to ensure that the impact of the programme is visible, measurable, and transformative across communities.
“The impact of these interventions must be visible, not just on paper, must be very visible in your states, in all the local governments, in every school, must be visible, must be measurable, and transformative,” he urged.
Basic education in Nigeria is largely supported through federal intervention funds managed by UBEC. The commission works with states and local communities to expand access to education, improve facilities, and strengthen service delivery at the basic education level.
In recent years, focus has shifted beyond infrastructure to addressing enrolment and retention challenges. Economic hardship, insecurity in some areas, and other social pressures have continued to contribute to the number of out of school children. This has led to increased attention on initiatives that not only improve learning environments but also help children remain in school and complete their education.