In a resounding testament to the Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori administration’s unwavering commitment to foundational education, the Delta State Executive Council (SEC), has approved the release of a whopping ₦6.7 billion as counterpart funding to the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC), signaling a major leap forward for both primary and secondary education in the state.
Announcing the decision during a post-EXCO media briefing in Asaba, the Commissioner for Public Information, Mr. Charles Aniagwu, explained that the ₦6.7 billion allocation will enable the state to unlock a matching grant from UBEC, resulting in a total injection of ₦13.4 billion into the basic education sector.
“You know what that means,” Aniagwu noted enthusiastically.
“Once the Universal Basic Education Board complements our counterpart contribution, as the scheme demands, we will be accessing a little over ₦13 billion.
“And remarkably, we are not borrowing a dime to make this happen. That shows the financial prudence of the current administration.”
Aniagwu said: “And then another good one, to be able to strengthen basic education, we have approved the counterpart fund to the tune of about N6.7 billion.
“What this means is that once the Delta State Government releases the ₦6.7 billion to the Universal Basic Education Board (UBEB), the board, under the contributory nature of the scheme, will match the amount with an equal contribution.
“As a result, the total funding available for educational development in the state will rise to a little over ₦13 billion.
“This significant investment is aimed at advancing the standard and reach of basic education across Delta State.
“And the beautiful thing about this is that we are not borrowing from anywhere to be able to finance this counterpart fund.
“So, it speaks to what we have told you that the Governor Sheriff Oborevwori administration is quite subvent and you will understand why that is so”, he declared.
At the heart of this bold educational renaissance are Mrs. Rose Ezewu, Commissioner for Secondary Education, and her counterpart in the Ministry of Primary Education, whose stewardship has drawn commendation from stakeholders and development partners alike.
A New Dawn for Basic Education in Delta
Under Mrs. Ezewu’s watch, Delta’s secondary schools have witnessed steady improvements in infrastructure, teacher training, and student performance metrics.
This recent financial commitment is expected to bolster classroom rehabilitation, furnish teaching materials, support capacity-building workshops, and expand access to quality instruction across the 25 local government areas.
The move also reflects a broader vision by Governor Sheriff Oborevwori to fortify the bedrock of Delta’s educational architecture through strategic investment, fiscal responsibility, and institutional synergy.
Educationists have praised the Commissioner’s proactive engagement with UBEC protocols and her seamless collaboration with the Primary Education Ministry, ensuring that Delta remains a top performer in basic education delivery nationwide.
Strategic Governance Meets Smart Investment
Education, widely regarded as the engine of sustainable development, is being prioritised not just in words, but with verifiable fiscal action.
Analysts note that the approved ₦13.4 billion, a combination of state and federal contributions, will catalyze inclusive growth, enhance learning outcomes, and bridge the literacy gap, especially in underserved communities.
With zero external borrowing, the feat further underscores the subvent capacity of the Oborevwori-led government, which continues to attract praise for its financial discipline and policy clarity.
“This is not just about money,” remarked a senior education official. “It’s about a clear understanding that education is empowerment, and we must get it right from the foundation.”
Ezewu’s Legacy in the Making
As Delta accelerates into the future, Mrs. Ezewu’s tenure is fast becoming a model for results-driven educational leadership.
Together with her primary education counterpart, she is laying down the building blocks for a more literate, enlightened, and opportunity-rich society.
With the UBEC counterpart fund now in play, stakeholders eagerly await the rollout of interventions that will not only transform the face of classrooms across the state, but also secure the academic future of generations to come.
The total amount of the counterpart fund when put together is N13.4 billion.
