The House of Representatives has voted against a Bill for an Act to Amend the Compulsory, Free, Universal Basic Education (UBE) Act, 2004 that sought to increase the funds set aside by the Federal Government for States for the purpose of improving the Education Sector. Leading the debate at the plenary session of July 19th 2016, the sponsor of the Bill Hon. Afe Olowookere (APC: Ondo) stated that the Bill seeks to amend Section 11(1a) and (2) of the Act to increase the block grant of the Federal Government from 2% of its Consolidated Revenue Fund to 5% and reduce the State counterpart fund from 50% to 35%.

These Section provides that the funding arrangement for the compulsory UBE should include a Federal Government block grant of not less not 2% of its Consolidated Revenue Fund. It further provides that States which are to benefit from the grant should contribute not less than 50% of the total cost of projects in the execution of a UBE Project.

Hon. Olowookere argued that allocation of funds from the Federal Account to States is not uniform or consistent and has therefore created a disparity among States. He added that in consideration of this, the States financial contribution of 50% be reduced, to enable them meet up with the required financial commitment so as to make the UBE funds more accessible. According to him, this would help achieve the purpose of uniform and qualitative education throughout Nigeria. He further expressed concerns that most States are unable to access the fund from the block grants for various projects as a result of the lack of funds at the State level. Concluding his debate, he laid emphasis on how the Bill would accelerate development of the education sector at the grass root level and serve as a catalyst for transformation.

Nonetheless, Members of the House of Representative voted against the Bill when it was put to vote by the Speaker, Hon. Yakubu Dogara (APC: Bauchi)

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