Abuja – A powerful post on X by @MonitNG has brought renewed attention to the crumbling state of Nigeria's basic education system, calling for urgent action from the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) and anti-corruption agencies.

Shared earlier on Wednesday, the message challenges the Federal Government’s recent commendation of states for accessing UBEC counterpart funds, revealing a stark disparity between official narratives and the harsh realities faced by students and teachers nationwide.

The civic-based organization describes a troubling scene across Nigeria, where many schools remain in ruin. Pupils are forced to learn under leaking roofs, seated on bare floors, and without access to chairs, desks, or proper teaching materials—a situation deemed "nothing short of alarming."

@MonitNG argues that the mere act of accessing UBEC funds—matched contributions required to unlock federal grants—is insufficient, emphasizing that the critical issue lies in how these billions of naira, disbursed over the years, are utilized.

The organization attributes the ongoing neglect to poor governance and mismanagement, highlighting a wide gap between government claims and the lived experiences of educators and learners.

To address this crisis, @MonitNG calls on UBEC to move beyond simply disbursing funds and issuing commendations.

It advocates for a robust monitoring and evaluation system to ensure every kobo allocated to education is used transparently and for its intended purpose. Without accountability, it warns, funds will continue to be lost to corrupt practices, further deteriorating school infrastructure.

A key demand is for UBEC to urgently collaborate with anti-corruption agencies, including the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC) and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), to track, investigate, and monitor the use of education funds by state governments.

The proposal includes forming a joint monitoring team that combines UBEC’s technical oversight with the investigative powers of these agencies, serving as a strong deterrent against diversion and mismanagement.

The post underscores the broader stakes, stating that education is the foundation of national development.

It warns that denying children quality education due to corruption and negligence will lead to long-term national consequences, including illiteracy, poverty, unemployment, and insecurity.

@MonitNG criticizes the Federal Government’s focus on states merely accessing funds, insisting that Nigerians deserve tangible results—functional classrooms, motivated teachers, and a learning environment that gives every child a fair chance at success.

UBEC has not responded to the concerns raised.

The call for action resonates with past critiques, such as a 1997 report by the federal minister of education on decayed school infrastructure, suggesting that the UBE program, launched in 1999, has yet to deliver significant progress.

Without urgent steps to break the cycle of poor infrastructure, abandoned projects, and wasted funds, the post cautions, Nigeria’s future remains at risk.

Stakeholders are watching closely, urging UBEC and its partners to rise to the occasion and implement robust monitoring, accountability, and transparency measures to safeguard the nation’s educational prospects.