The Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, has urged the Federal Government to simplify and expedite the financial processes for Unity Schools by allowing the Ministry and its agencies to handle smaller payments. He also suggested that funds be released quarterly to help schools plan more effectively and avoid disruptions.
Dr Alausa made this call during a meeting in Abuja with the Accountant General of the Federation (AGF), Mr Shamsudeen Ogunjimi, where they discussed problems affecting the funding of the 110 Unity Schools across Nigeria.
The Minister explained that delays in receiving money for overhead costs and school feeding had put many Unity Schools in serious financial trouble. According to him, the last funds for school expenses were received in March, while the last feeding allowance came in April. This delay, he said, has forced some schools to operate without sufficient resources, even leading to postponed resumption dates in some cases due to a lack of food. To address this, Alausa suggested that payments under ₦500 million be approved at the ministry level, while agencies should be permitted to handle payments below ₦100 million. He added that this would expedite processes and alleviate pressure on the Accountant General’s office.
In response, Mr Ogunjimi acknowledged that the government’s new cash management policy had created some challenges, particularly in light of the current economic difficulties. He promised to fast-track the release of funds for the Ministry of Education and agreed with the idea of termly disbursements. A formal request from the ministry is expected.
Unity Schools are government-funded secondary schools meant to promote national unity and provide affordable education. With over 100 of them in the country, financial stability remains key to keeping them running smoothly.
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