The house of representatives has asked the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) to take concrete steps towards ensuring that every Nigerian child has access to free and compulsory basic education.
This resolution followed the adoption of a motion sponsored by Obi Aguocha (LP-Abia) during a plenary on Tuesday.
Aguocha, while leading the debate, cited Article 17 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights.
He also cited section 15 of the Child’s Rights Act and section 2 of the Compulsory Free Universal Basic Education Act, 2004 as legal foundations for universal access to basic education.
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He noted that the Child’s Rights Act, 2003, and the UBE Act, 2004, clearly mandate the government to provide compulsory education from primary to junior secondary school levels at no cost to the child.
“The federal government is required to contribute two per cent of its Consolidated Revenue Fund to the Universal Basic Education Fund (UBEF) annually,” Aguocha said, adding that states can access the fund through counterpart contributions.
He expressed concern over the growing number of out-of-school children in Nigeria despite existing legislation guaranteeing access to education.
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Aguocha listed multiple challenges plaguing the system, including poor funding, unequal resource distribution, low teacher quality, and socio-cultural factors such as child labour, early marriage, and gender-based discrimination.
He lamented the rising trend of children roaming the streets to beg or hawk, warning that the situation could escalate into a national crisis if left unaddressed.
Citing a September 2024 report by UNICEF, Aguocha said Nigeria has 18.3 million out-of-school children, one of the highest numbers globally.
He linked the crisis to insecurity in the north-east, noting that school closures, abductions, displacement, and destruction of educational facilities by insurgents have worsened the situation.
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Following the motion’s adoption, the house resolved to invite UBEC’s management to present a report on the implementation of the basic education scheme.
The deputy speaker Benjamin Kalu, who presided over the session, mandated the committee on basic education and services to ensure compliance.
