UBEC Tasks Delta on Education Funding, Targets $500m HOPE-EDU Programme

The Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) has urged the Delta State Government to sustain its investment in basic education and ensure the timely access and utilisation of available intervention funds to position the state for participation in the over $500 million HOPE-EDU Programme.

The Executive Secretary of UBEC, Dr. Aisha Garba, gave the charge on Monday in Asaba when she led the commission's management on a courtesy visit to Delta State Governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, ahead of the 30th Quarterly Meeting of UBEC Management and Executive Chairmen of State Universal Basic Education Boards (SUBEBs), hosted by the state.

Garba commended the Oborevwori administration for what she described as significant progress in the basic education sector, particularly its record of accessing the UBE Matching Grant.

She disclosed that Delta had accessed all its UBE Matching Grant allocations up to 2025, describing the achievement as evidence of the state's commitment to prioritising investment in basic education.

“Your Excellency, we commend Delta State for its strong record in accessing the UBE Matching Grant. As at today, all UBE Matching Grant allocations up to 2025 have been accessed by the State, reflecting your administration's commitment and willingness to prioritise significant investments in basic education,” she said.

The UBEC boss also commended Delta for adopting technology to address challenges in the education system, particularly through the Attend360 platform, an attendance management system designed to improve teacher attendance and accountability.

According to her, technology-driven initiatives such as Attend360 demonstrate how innovation can strengthen education management, improve accountability and ultimately translate government investments into better teaching and learning outcomes.

Garba, however, urged the state not to relent in accessing and utilising available education intervention funds, stressing that sustained investment would be critical to meeting the requirements for participation in the HOPE-EDU Programme, a World Bank-supported initiative valued at more than $500 million.

She explained that states seeking to participate in the programme must have accessed their 2026 UBE Matching Grant and achieved at least 50 per cent implementation of activities contained in their approved 2025 Basic Education Action Plan.

The UBEC Executive Secretary therefore encouraged the Delta State Government to maintain its current momentum in basic education investment and ensure that intervention funds are accessed and utilised promptly.

“We are confident that this will not only consolidate the remarkable progress already achieved but also accelerate improvements in access, quality, and learning outcomes across the State's basic education system,” she added.

Garba thanked Governor Oborevwori for hosting the quarterly meeting and for his administration's support for UBEC, expressing confidence that the engagement would further strengthen cooperation between the commission and the state.

Delta: Education Is Our Biggest Industry — Oborevwori

Responding, Governor Oborevwori, represented by his Deputy, Sir Monday Onyeme, described education as the biggest industry in Delta State, saying his administration had continued to invest heavily in the sector to provide quality education for citizens.

The governor welcomed the UBEC delegation to Delta and expressed appreciation to the commission for selecting the state as the venue for its 30th Quarterly Management Meeting.

He said the positive assessment of Delta's performance by UBEC, particularly in technology, infrastructure, access to education funds and utilisation of available resources, was encouraging.

Oborevwori reaffirmed his administration's commitment to making quality education accessible to as many citizens as possible, noting that Delta remained proud of the contributions of its indigenes to educational development in Nigeria and beyond.

The courtesy visit was attended by members of the Delta State Executive Council, chairmen of SUBEBs from across the country and other senior government officials.

The engagement came as Delta prepares to host UBEC's 30th Quarterly Management Meeting, bringing together key stakeholders in basic education from across Nigeria to deliberate on strategies for improving access, quality, funding and learning outcomes in the country's basic education system.