The Tinubu Media Volunteers (TMV) has commended the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) for mobilising and disbursing N100 billion in previously unaccessed matching grants to states, describing the move as a landmark achievement in advancing basic education across Nigeria.
In a statement signed by its Chairman, Chukwudi Enekwechi, and Secretary, Segun Ogedengbe, the group praised UBEC for releasing the funds despite the inability of several state governments to provide the required counterpart funding needed to access the grants.
TMV said the initiative aligns with UBEC’s 2025–2031 Strategic Blueprint and reflects the Federal Government’s commitment to improving the quality of basic education under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
The group noted that UBEC Executive Secretary, Aisha Garba, recently highlighted key achievements of the commission, including the construction of 4,600 classrooms, renovation of over 6,100 classrooms, provision of 2,780 toilets and 678 boreholes, as well as the distribution of 334,000 pieces of school furniture nationwide.
According to TMV, the mobilisation of the N100 billion in previously unaccessed grants is particularly significant, given that states are ordinarily required to contribute 40 per cent counterpart funding before accessing the Federal Government’s intervention funds.
The group observed that many states had, over the years, failed to meet this obligation, resulting in large sums of education intervention funds remaining unused.
It described the Federal Government’s decision to release the grants as unprecedented, saying it demonstrates President Tinubu’s commitment to ensuring that Nigerian children are not deprived of quality basic education because of delays by state governments.
TMV also lauded the institutional reforms introduced at UBEC, saying they have strengthened transparency, project monitoring and data-driven decision-making within the commission.
The group urged the commission to sustain the momentum by maintaining high standards of accountability and good governance while continuing to deliver impactful projects across the country.
It added that the release of the unaccessed grants underscored the Tinubu administration’s determination to invest in the education of future generations and accelerate improvements in Nigeria’s basic education sector.
