馃嚦馃嚞NigeriaWest Africa
UBEC disburses N44.24bn in matching grants to 11 states, including Kaduna and Ondo
via Punch Nigeria1 min read
The Universal Basic Education Commission UBEC has disbursed N44.24bn in matching grants to 11 states: Jigawa, Ondo, Taraba, Kogi, Kaduna, Plateau, Osun, Zamfara, Bauchi, Sokoto, and Enugu. These grants aim to support infrastructure for Universal Basic Education UBE implementation, requiring states to contribute at least 50% as a counterpart fund. The funds disbursed between January and March 2026 cover the first to fourth quarters of 2025, with specific variations for Kaduna, Taraba, and Zamfara. Jigawa, Ondo, Kogi, Plateau, Osun, Bauchi, Sokoto, and Enugu each received N3.55bn. Taraba received N7.10bn, Kaduna N5.33bn, and Zamfara N3.557bn. States must provide an equal counterpart fund to access these grants, as per Section 112 of the Universal Basic Education Commission Act, 2004. Funds not utilized within one year will be recalled by the commission. UBEC has previously expressed concern over unutilized intervention funds, with Executive Secretary Aisha Garba noting N250bn remained unutilized by states last year.
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