‘From 2% to 4%’ — reps consider bill to increase UBEC allocation

A bill seeking to increase the allocation from the consolidated revenue fund, to the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC), has passed second reading in the house of representatives.

Sponsored by Muktar Shagaya from Kwara, the proposed legislation aims to amend the UBE Act, 2004, to increase the share of the consolidated revenue fund allocated for UBEC, from two percent to four percent.

This was read for the first time on the floor of the house on November 28, 2023.

Leading the debate on the bill during plenary on Wednesday, Shagaya said the current two percent allocation to UBEC is insufficient to address the challenges in basic education.

“A concerning trend also persists as a significant level of infrastructural deterioration plagues the majority of public primary schools across all 36 states of the federation,” he said.

“Despite the proposed capital expenditure for the education sector in the 2024 budget, its potential impact may be limited.

“With an increment in school enrolment numbers and widespread infrastructural decay, the situation is indeed daunting.

“It is imperative that we address this, while also prioritising technological advancement and enhancing teachers’ training in our basic schools, to align with global best practices.

“As we strive towards allocating 20 percent of the national budget to the education sector to meet global standards, improve the quality of learning, and retain the best hands in the system, we must also remember that access to education is a recognised human right and one of the key pillars of the UN sustainable development goals (SDGs) to which Nigeria is a signatory.”

The lawmaker said the increase is a pivotal component of a “comprehensive strategy” to reform the education sector.

The lawmaker said the proposal aligns with the recommendations of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO).

The legislator said the UBEC Act is not a luxury but a moral imperative.

“It is an investment in human dignity, in social justice, and the promise of a brighter tomorrow,” he added.

The bill was unanimously voted for when it was put to a voice vote by Tajudeen Abbas, speaker of the house.