The Executive Secretary of the Universal Basic Education Commission, UBEC, Dr Hamid Bobboyi, has said that the Nigerian Government spends over N100 billion annually to support the implementation of Universal Basic Education (UBE) in the country.
He stated this at a one-day meeting on promoting partnership with the Organised Private Sector in Abuja, Nigeria.
Bobboyi said the money is not enough urging the private sector to invest more in education and equally support the Federal Government to salvage the basic education sector in Nigeria, stressing that the sector currently has over 45 million children enrolled in basic education schools nationwide, which required support.
He listed some of the challenges facing the basic education sector including limited funding, overcrowded classrooms, inadequate instructional materials, inadequate facilities, and low implementation capacity at state and community levels among others adding that the challenges led to low school attendance over the years resulting in many out-of-school children.
“Despite allocating over N100 billion to the basic education sector every year, resources from the Federal Government alone can no longer run the system.
“Even though the Federal Government is spending money on education, the sector requires more resources to deliver functional and quality education to children in the country,” he said.
The Executive Secretary called on the private sector to invest in providing education for children at an early age to contribute to the development of the country.
“Resources alone from the federal government cannot run the system. Nigeria has over 45 million children in the basic education subsector, and with this number, we require the necessary classrooms and other facilities.
“A state may get a maximum of N3 billion in the best times, but that amount cannot take care of the numerous challenges,” he explained.
According to him, the meeting was organized to bring together key stakeholders to have a functional relationship so that the private sector understands activities and challenges in the basic education subsector, stressing that the UBE Act allows for partnerships and collaborations between all stakeholders for efficient basic education service delivery.
“This places an obligation on the Commission and necessitates engagements with the private sector, development partners, donor agencies, civil societies, and Non-Governmental Organizations NGOs.”
He also called on stakeholders to invest in the smart school initiative to build the technological capacity of the young population.
The Head of the Oando Foundation, Mrs Adegoke Adekanla, commended UBEC for its commitment towards advancing basic education in the country.
Adekanla represented by an official of the foundation, Mr. Ede Okechukwu said the commitment of the Oando Foundation also aligns with the broader initiative to strengthen the Universal Basic Education, UBE, program through collaborative partnerships between the public and private sectors.
“Basic education forms the foundation upon which all other forms of learning and development rest. It is the fundamental right of every child and the cornerstone of a prosperous and equitable society. Access to quality basic education is not just a goal; it is a moral imperative that shapes the future of nations.
“The involvement of the private sector, as emphasized by UBEC, is instrumental in enhancing the pool of resources for UBE implementation,” she said.
