UBEC Launches Digital Platform for Education Funds, Begins New 10-Year Roadmap

The Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) in Nigeria has introduced a digital platform for managing its education intervention funds and unveiled a new 10-year strategic roadmap for basic education, spanning 2026-2035. UBEC's Executive Secretary, Dr. Aisha Garba, unveiled these changes during a meeting in Abuja, emphasizing the shift from manual to digital processes for accessing funds.

Under the new system, states will develop, submit, review, and obtain approval for their action plans through an integrated online platform. This modernization builds upon unified frameworks and revised guidelines adopted by all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) in 2025. UBEC's technical support has facilitated many states' access to matching grants, enhancing efficiency, transparency, timeliness, traceability, and consistency in the fund access cycle.

UBEC's new 10-year roadmap will focus on policy prioritization, resource alignment, institutional coordination, monitoring, and results-based accountability. It aims to transition from the "education for all" approach to "learning for all," guiding states in crafting evidence-based medium-term plans that address local needs. Garba urged state education officials to take ownership of these reforms by ensuring timely data submission, disciplined planning, and collaboration with UBEC.

The meeting also emphasized the importance of stronger coordination between UBEC and State Universal Basic Education Boards (SUBEBs) to ensure the proper planning, implementation, and monitoring of interventions. Nura Ibrahim, Director of Physical Planning, stressed that effective physical planning is vital for ensuring that infrastructure investments meet the real needs of schools and communities, calling for closer collaboration among stakeholders to improve accountability and learning environments.