The Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) has disclosed its plan to reach 29 million Nigerian children with improved basic education under a $552.18 million World Bank-supported programme, warning state governments that their full cooperation is essential to access the disbursements and implementation.
The Human Capital Opportunities for Prosperity and Equity in Education (HOPE-EDU) programme is also targeting 500,000 teachers, 65,000 public schools and 10,000 non-formal learning centres nationwide, alongside the construction of 13,000 new classrooms.
However, the Federal Government’s ambition to expand access to quality education now faces a critical test at the state level, with UBEC insisting that governors must demonstrate the political will and financial commitment required to unlock the programme’s benefits.
The Executive Secretary of UBEC, Dr Aisha Garba, raised the concern on Tuesday in Abuja at a two-day meeting with chairmen of State Universal Basic Education Boards (SUBEBs) on implementation readiness.
Garba disclosed that the programme became effective on February 27, 2026, and had entered its implementation phase, stressing that states must act swiftly to incorporate relevant activities and funding provisions into their 2027 budgets.
According to her, several of the programme’s disbursement-linked indicators depend on states making adequate budgetary allocations, warning that failure to meet the requirements could affect their ability to access the corresponding funds.
She said: “A lot of the deliverables for Year 1 will require provisions in the states’ 2027 budget.”
The UBEC boss, therefore, directed SUBEB chairmen to take the programme’s implementation report to their respective state executives, secure their commitment and ensure that the necessary financial provisions were made in good time.
The warning places state governments at the centre of the initiative, which is designed to improve learning outcomes, reduce inequalities in access to education and strengthen accountability in the delivery of basic education across Nigeria.
Garba explained that HOPE-EDU adopts a results-based financing model under which disbursements are tied to the achievement of agreed targets and performance indicators.
Under its funding structure, $262.239 million has been earmarked for improving the quality of basic education, $123.9 million for expanding access, while $133.611 million is allocated to strengthening key systems.
The three result areas are designed to address persistent challenges in the basic education sector, including poor learning outcomes, inadequate educational access and weaknesses in institutional capacity and accountability.
Garba said the quality component would focus on improving teaching standards, providing essential learning resources and raising pupils’ achievement levels in participating states.
A key intervention under this component is the adoption of the Structured Pedagogy Programme (SPP), which is intended to strengthen the teaching of literacy and numeracy in primary schools.
She said the programme would build on existing Universal Basic Education interventions while complementing other government initiatives in governance and primary healthcare.
The UBEC executive secretary disclosed that the programme’s three result areas have different participation requirements.
According to her, the first result area, which focuses on improving education quality, is open to 33 states, with participation potentially extending to all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory, subject to involvement in the HOPE-GOV operations.
The second result area, which targets increased access to education, is designed for 15 states with the highest populations of out-of-school children that also satisfy other eligibility requirements.
The third component, focused on strengthening key systems, is open to all 36 states and the FCT.
The varying eligibility conditions mean that states must understand the requirements attached to each component and ensure they meet the relevant benchmarks to benefit from the programme.
Garba said successful implementation would require close coordination among state ministries of education, SUBEBs, Local Education Authorities, schools and School-Based Management Committees.
She urged SUBEB chairmen, whom she described as key drivers of basic education implementation at the state level, to take ownership of the programme and ensure that their states meet the agreed targets and verification requirements.
Garba said the initiative, introduced under President Bola Tinubu’s administration, was intended to ensure that every Nigerian child, particularly those in rural communities, marginalised populations and out-of-school groups, had equitable opportunities to access quality education.
However, she emphasised that achieving this objective would depend on translating policy commitments into concrete action, particularly through adequate budgetary provisions and effective coordination at the state level.
“The success of HOPE-EDU rests on your shoulders. Let us work together to ensure that no state is left behind,” she told the SUBEB chairmen.
She urged participants to engage actively during the meeting, seek clarification on implementation requirements and return to their respective states as advocates for the programme.
Garba also commended the National Programme Coordinator, the Programme Manager and the HOPE-EDU team for organising the meeting, while acknowledging the support of the Federal Ministry of Education, the World Bank and other technical partners.
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Earlier, the Programme Manager of HOPE-EDU, Mr Olumayowa Aleshin, presented an overview of the initiative, outlining its funding arrangements, implementation targets and key milestones.
The programme’s framework requires participating states to meet specified performance targets and verification requirements before qualifying for the corresponding disbursements.
With 29 million children, 500,000 teachers, thousands of schools and non-formal learning centres covered by its targets, HOPE-EDU represents a major intervention in Nigeria’s basic education sector.
Its ultimate impact, however, will depend on whether federal and state authorities can convert the funding commitments into classrooms, better teaching, improved learning outcomes and wider access to education for millions of children.
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