Renowned human rights lawyer and Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Mr. Femi Falana, has called on Nigerians to pressurize state governors to access a dormant N135 billion Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) fund.
Falana urged citizens to take action, as he emphasized the significance of these funds in tackling the country’s staggering out-of-school children crisis.
In a recent statement, Falana highlighted his ongoing legal action intended to address the issue.
“In January 2024, we filed a suit at the Federal High Court praying for an order to compel the 36 state governments to access the sum of N68 billion in the account of the Universal Basic Education Commission,” he said.
This legal push is aimed at compelling states to fulfill their commitment to co-fund basic education initiatives by accessing these UBEC funds, intended to enhance Nigeria’s educational landscape.
However, the case has met resistance, with some state governments questioning Falana’s legal standing in bringing the case forward. Despite these challenges, Falana reiterated his resolve, revealing that the available UBEC funds have grown due to lack of access by most states.
“It has been disclosed by the management of the Universal Basic Education Commission that the fund not accessed by 34 states and the Federal Capital Territory has increased to N135 billion due to the inexplicable failure to contribute the counterpart funds required by law,” Falana noted.
Falana underscored the urgency of the situation by pointing to Nigeria’s escalating education crisis, citing reports from UNICEF and UNESCO.
“In view of the fact that both UNICEF and UNESCO have confirmed that Nigeria has 20.2 million out-of-school children, we are compelled to call on all patriotic Nigerians to mount sufficient pressure on the 34 state governments to access the UBE fund in order to educate every child in Nigeria,” he stated.
He further highlighted that basic education is not just a need but a right, enshrined in national laws.
“Since every child is entitled to free and compulsory education from primary to junior secondary school under the Child’s Rights Law and the Compulsory, Free, Universal Basic Education Act, the authorities of the 36 state governments and the Federal Capital Territory should no longer be permitted to toy with the right of indigent children to acquire basic education,” Falana declared, emphasizing the critical role of UBEC funds in fulfilling this mandate.
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