The Universal Basic Education Commission has unveiled the 2025 cycle of its School-Based Management Committee–School Improvement Programme, introduced a new Learners’ Retention Programme, and released N434.5m as final tranche funding for previously approved projects.

The Executive Secretary, Aisha Garba, who was represented by the Deputy Executive Secretary (Technical), Rasaq Akinyemi, announced this on Thursday in Abuja during the national flag-off ceremony for the 2025 SBMC–SIP.

The event also included the disbursement of final tranche funds for the 2023 and 2024 cycles, as well as the formal unveiling of the Learners’ Retention Programme.

Garba said the interventions are aimed at improving basic education delivery, strengthening community participation, and reducing the number of out-of-school children.

Under the 2025 SBMC-SIP, UBEC announced a total allocation of N5.18 billion to 518 communities across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory.

Each state and the FCT will benefit from 14 schools under the programme, which targets underserved communities with severe infrastructure deficits.

“The flag-off of the 2025 SBMC-SIP demonstrates unequivocally that the Federal Government remains unwavering in its commitment to equitable access, improved infrastructure, and enhanced learning outcomes at the basic education level.

“I am pleased to announce that 518 communities will receive a total sum of N5,180,000,000.00 as the total support funds earmarked for the 2025 SBMC-SIP implementation.

“This translates to 14 schools benefiting from each of the 36 states of the Federation and the Federal Capital Territory,” she explained.

According to UBEC, the intervention will focus on the renovation of dilapidated school buildings, provision of classroom furniture, and improvement of water, sanitation, and hygiene facilities.

Garba said the SBMC-SIP remains one of the commission’s key community-driven initiatives, noting that since its inception, 1,112 schools nationwide have benefited from the programme, with over 13,670 projects initiated across participating communities.

She said, “Since the inception of the SBMC-SIP, the commission has recorded encouraging progress. A total of 1,112 schools have been supported across the 36 states of the Federation and the Federal Capital Territory, with over N1.5bn disbursed across implementation cycles,” with an estimated 400,000 children expected to benefit from improved learning environments.

At the event, UBEC also released N434.5m as final tranche support funds for the 2023 and 2024 SBMC-SIP cycles. The funds are expected to support the completion of 11,484 ongoing projects across the country.

“Today’s disbursement of the 2023 and 2024 SBMC-SIP final tranche support fund in the sum of N434,500,000 will enable beneficiary schools to complete 11,484 ongoing projects across the country,” she stated.