Governor Soludo Unlocks Massive Education Boost with ₦6.15 Billion Counterpart Funding Approval

 

Anambra State has taken a significant step toward transforming its basic education system, as Governor Chukwuma Soludo gives the green light for the release of ₦6.154 billion in counterpart funding. This strategic move enables the state to unlock an additional ₦12.308 billion from the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC), marking a combined ₦18.462 billion in intervention funds for education from 2022 to 2024.

This major development was confirmed on Friday in a statement by Dr. Vera Nwadinobi, Chairperson of the Anambra State Universal Basic Education Board (ASUBEB), as reported by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN). According to Nwadinobi, the release of the counterpart funds reflects the Soludo administration’s resolve to prioritize education and align with the requirements needed to access federal support through UBEC’s matching grant scheme.

Rather than leaving critical projects hanging due to lack of funds, Anambra is now poised to embark on a sweeping overhaul of its basic education infrastructure. Planned initiatives under the UBE intervention project include the construction of new classroom blocks, extensive renovations of dilapidated school buildings, and the provision of basic learning furniture such as desks and chairs.

Communities across the state can also expect the introduction of modern water and sanitation facilities in primary and junior secondary schools. These improvements, Nwadinobi noted, are essential in creating a safe and conducive environment for both students and teachers. She further outlined additional investments, which encompass fencing school perimeters for security, introducing ICT tools, and delivering agricultural and sports equipment to enhance holistic learning.

Such comprehensive support for the educational sector has drawn praise from stakeholders, with Nwadinobi expressing appreciation for the governor’s unwavering commitment. She emphasized that the alignment of state and federal resources through the UBE framework is a smart path to amplifying impact and ensuring better outcomes for Anambra's youth.

These developments are unfolding against the backdrop of Anambra’s proposed ₦606.99 billion budget for 2025. The budget, which allocates a robust 77% (₦467.5 billion) to capital expenditure and 23% (₦139.5 billion) to recurrent expenditure, reflects a clear strategy of development-focused governance. Education, in particular, has received a significant boost, with proposed sectoral increases soaring by 101.4%—the highest among key areas of investment including health, infrastructure, social services, and the judiciary.

Looking ahead to the 2025 fiscal year, the Soludo administration has earmarked ₦11 billion for the construction and equipping of smart schools. An additional ₦22 billion is set aside for institutional development, while a further ₦3 billion will support a student loan and bursary program aimed at reducing financial barriers to education. Another ₦1 billion will be channeled to supplement secondary school resources, and ₦250 million is slated for transportation support for schools.

These budgetary priorities are part of a broader vision outlined by Governor Soludo during his presentation to the Anambra State House of Assembly in November 2024. He reiterated his administration’s resolve to reposition the education sector as a central pillar of sustainable development in the state.

The 2024 achievements already provide a glimpse of this vision in action. The government’s introduction of a free education scheme for Senior Secondary 3 students, recruitment of over 3,000 teachers, and enhancement of 60 Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) schools are just a few examples. These moves, combined with the fresh tranche of UBE funds, are set to create a ripple effect that could dramatically shift Anambra’s educational landscape for generations to come.

Governor Soludo, who has positioned education as the bedrock of his transformational agenda, continues to assert that human capital development is the most reliable currency of the 21st century. His administration’s approach—blending bold vision, substantial investment, and grassroots delivery—offers a model that other states may well look to replicate.

By prioritizing education not just rhetorically but with decisive financial action, Anambra is charting a course toward a more inclusive, equitable, and knowledge-driven future.