The federal government has said it has earmarked more than $664 million for annual school grants to public primary schools across the country under the World Bank-supported HOPE-EDU Programme.
The grants are expected to enable schools to address urgent needs, including minor renovations and improvements to their learning environments, while strengthening financial management at the grassroots
The Executive Secretary, Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC), Dr Aisha Garba, disclosed this on Tuesday in Kano at the opening of a regional thematic workshop on Results Area 3 of the programme, focusing on Disbursement-Linked Indicators (DLIs) 6 and 7 for North-West and North-East states
Represented by the Deputy Director of Social Mobilisation, Malam Sahabo Basa, Garba said the programme also requires each school to receive a minimum grant equivalent to $100 per term and disbursement will commence early 2027
She said the annual grants would give school managers greater control over their development priorities and enable them to make quicker decisions on pressing needs
“The introduction of annual school grants for school development will empower our schools to locally manage their issues It will enhance quick decision-making, especially on small renovations and school environment needs,” she said.
She added that the initiative would strengthen school management structures and help make schools safer and more conducive for learning
According to programme documents presented at the workshop, states will initially qualify for a gateway grant of $200,000 each, while states supported by the Global Partnership for Education (GPE) will receive $160,000, subject to meeting prescribed requirements
These include approval of minimum school grants, updated School-Based Management Committee regulations and adequate coverage of school bank accounts
Further disbursements will be tied to the proportion of public primary schools covered by the grant scheme, with $18849 million available at 70 per cent coverage, $22.723 million at 80 per cent and $22.598 million at 90 per cent coverage.
Garba said the funding arrangement followed a Programme-for-Results model, under which states’ access to funds depended on meeting agreed targets and verifying results
She explained that Results Area 3 was designed to ensure that education funds reached schools on time, were managed transparently and translated into improved learning environments
She, however, identified possible implementation challenges, including delays in fund releases, difficulties in accessing counterpart funding, inadequate regulations and limited capacity among personnel responsible for managing and accounting for education funds
“These challenges may affect performance if not properly addressed This workshop provides an opportunity to openly discuss them and agree on practical solutions,” she said.
She urged participants to develop state-specific action plans and ensure effective implementation of the programme, adding that UBEC would continue to provide technical guidance and coordinate with development partners
Earlier, the HOPE-EDU Programme Manager, Mr Mayowa Aleshin, said the workshop was organised to prepare state officials for the implementation of Results Area 3 and strengthen their capacity to deliver on DLIs 6 and 7
Aleshin said the programme became effective on February 27, 2026, and had moved from the planning stage to implementation
He said the workshop brought together officials from North-West and North-East states to clarify responsibilities and improve readiness for implementing the two indicators
According to him, DLI 6 focuses on the management of core UBEC funds at decentralised levels, while DLI 7 centres on the implementation of annual school grants in public primary schools
He said the workshop would also help align the responsibilities of finance and accounts directors, social mobilisation officers, procurement personnel and other officials involved in the programme
“The success of the implementation of the DLIs rests on your shoulders,” Aleshin told participants
He expressed optimism that the workshop would strengthen implementation of the HOPE-EDU Programme and improve access to quality basic education across participating states