•Calls On Citizens To Pressure Govts
Nigerians have been urged to increase pressure on their state governments that have failed to access the Universal Basic Education (UBE) fund.
Human rights lawyer, Femi Falana (SAN), who made the call, said the fund remains untapped in many states, leaving millions of children without education.
Falana explained the importance of adhering to the Child’s Rights Law and the Compulsory, Free, Universal Basic Education Act, both of which guarantee free and compulsory education from primary to junior secondary school.
According to the legal luminary, UNICEF and UNESCO have confirmed that Nigeria currently has 20.2 million out-of-school children.
Meanwhile, the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) has revealed that about N135 billion in UBE funds has remained unaccessed, largely due to the failure of 34 states and the Federal Capital Territory to contribute the legally required counterpart funding.
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Falana said both government and citizens must ensure that every Nigerian child receives the education they are entitled to under the law.
Falana said, “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 Account of the Universal Basic Education Commission. Some of the Defendants have since questioned our locus standi to institute the action.
“However, it has been disclosed by 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 fund required by law.
“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 in accordance with the provisions of the Child’s Rights Law applicable in every state as well as the Child’s Rights Act applicable in the Federal Capital Territory.”
“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 added.
Olamilekan Adigun is a graduate of Mass Communication with years of experience in journalism embedded in uncovering human interest stories. He also prioritises accuracy and factual reportage of issues.
