A deepening education crisis is unfolding across Nigeria as no fewer than 21 states and the Federal Capital Territory failed to access over ₦97 billion in federal basic education grants, leaving millions of schoolchildren stranded in deteriorating learning conditions, according to data released by the Universal Basic Education Commission following a Freedom of Information request by human rights lawyer Femi Falana.
The data, covering 2021 to March 2026 and obtained exclusively, exposes a troubling pattern of neglect by state governments that failed to meet requirements necessary to draw down federal matching grants meant to support free and compulsory basic education nationwide.
At the center of the controversy is Imo State, which emerged as the worst-performing state after leaving a staggering ₦10.656 billion in federal education funds un-accessed, raising serious questions about the commitment of authorities to improving public education.
Closely following is Ogun State, which failed to access ₦9.709 billion, while Rivers State left ₦7.809 billion untouched. Both Abia State and Oyo State each failed to access ₦7.109 billion, with Niger State also leaving ₦7.109 billion unutilized.
Further revelations show that Adamawa State, Akwa Ibom State, Anambra State, Bayelsa State, Cross River State, Ebonyi State, Kebbi State, Kogi State, Lagos State, and Nasarawa State each failed to access approximately ₦3.554 billion allocated for education development.
Also listed among non-performing states were Edo State which failed to access ₦3.555 billion, Enugu State which left ₦3.609 billion untouched, and Gombe State and Kano State which each left ₦1.876 billion unutilized.
Meanwhile, Kwara State and Zamfara State failed to access ₦197.6 million each, while the Federal Capital Territory did not draw down ₦5.077 billion earmarked for improving schools across the capital territory.
The revelations come amid growing concerns over Nigeria’s worsening education indicators, with approximately 18.5 million out-of-school children — one of the highest figures globally — raising alarm among education advocates and human rights groups.
However, some states recorded full compliance by accessing their allocations. These include Bauchi State, Benue State, Borno State, Jigawa State, Kaduna State, Katsina State, Delta State, Ondo State, Yobe State, Taraba State, Sokoto State, Plateau State and Osun State, which reportedly met grant conditions as of March 18, 2026.
Under the Compulsory Free Universal Basic Education Act, the federal government provides funds through UBEC to support free and compulsory education for primary and junior secondary school children. However, states are required to provide counterpart funding before accessing the federal allocations.
UBEC data indicates that many state governments failed to provide their matching contributions, effectively blocking the release of funds meant to upgrade classrooms, recruit teachers, improve infrastructure, and enhance learning environments.
The backlog of un-accessed funds has exposed a growing disconnect between education policy and implementation, as children across rural and urban communities continue to study in overcrowded classrooms, dilapidated buildings, and under-resourced schools.
Explaining the rationale behind the Freedom of Information request, Falana expressed deep concern over the situation, stating that many state governments and the Federal Capital Territory have refused to access over ₦97 billion meant for education development.
He further alleged that some states that accessed funds also failed to properly utilise them for improving teaching and learning conditions in primary and junior secondary schools nationwide.
Falana also referenced judgments from the ECOWAS Court and the Federal High Court, both of which affirmed the right of every Nigerian child to free and compulsory education, noting that despite these rulings, millions of children remain out of school.
He warned that the failure of state authorities to access available education funds amounts to consigning children of poor citizens to illiteracy and ignorance, further widening inequality and undermining national development.
With Nigeria already battling one of the world’s highest numbers of out-of-school children, the refusal or inability of several state governments to access education funds has intensified concerns about governance priorities and accountability in the country’s education sector.
As billions meant for classrooms remain untouched, millions of Nigerian children continue to wait — not for promises, but for classrooms, teachers, and a future that appears increasingly uncertain.