Anambra Approves N6.15bn to Access UBE Grants, Targets Education Transformation

The Anambra State Government has approved N6.154 billion as counterpart funding to access the Universal Basic Education (UBE) grants for 2022 to 2024. This strategic move unlocks a matching grant of N12.308 billion from the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC), bringing the total investment in basic education across the state to over N18 billion.

According to the Chairperson of the Anambra State Universal Basic Education Board (ASUBEB), the fund will support a fresh round of education intervention projects in communities across the state. The planned projects include the construction of new classrooms, renovation of dilapidated school buildings, and the supply of desks and chairs to enhance the learning environment in primary and junior secondary schools.

In addition, water and sanitation facilities will be provided to schools, alongside fencing for security, ICT tools for digital learning, and agricultural and sports equipment to boost extracurricular engagement.

“These initiatives are intended to create a more conducive environment for teaching and learning in our schools,” ASUBEB Chairperson Dr. Vera Nwadinobi stated, commending Governor Chukwuma Soludo’s dedication to improving education in Anambra.

The development aligns with Anambra State’s ambitious 2025 budget proposal of N606.99 billion, where education features prominently. Of the proposed budget, 77% is allocated to capital expenditure, signaling strong investment in infrastructure and institutional development.

Governor Soludo has committed to allocating N11 billion for the renovation and equipping of smart schools, N22 billion for institutional development, and N3 billion for student loans in 2025. Additional funding includes N1 billion in supplementary support to secondary schools and N250 million for school transportation.

Soludo’s administration has also made notable strides in education throughout 2024, including the recruitment of over 3,000 teachers, the rollout of free education for Senior Secondary 3 students, and the upgrade of 60 STEM-focused schools across the state.

The governor described the 2025 budget as a transformative leap, aiming to position Anambra as a model of effective governance, inclusive prosperity, and sustainable development through bold education reforms and targeted public investment.