The Federal Ministry of Education alongside the Office of the Accountant-General, in a joint effort to advance financial efficiency in the education sector, have promised urgent reforms that will bring about improvement in transparency and delivery of service in schools.
This was disclosed via a Press Release titled ‘Education Minister, Accountant-General partner to improve school funding and financial reforms’, signed by Boriowo Folasade, Director, Press and Public Relations, Ministry of Education, on Wednesday 25 June, 2025.
Dr. Maruf Tunji Alausa, Honourable Minister of Education, hosted Dr. Shamsudeen Babatunde, Accountant-General, at the headquarters of the Ministry in Abuja where both discussed funding challenges affecting Unity Schools—especially delays in overhead and feeding budget releases.
According to the Press Release: “In a joint effort to enhance financial efficiency in the education sector, the Federal Ministry of Education and the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation have pledged urgent reforms to improve transparency and service delivery in schools.
“The Honourable Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Tunji Alausa, CON, hosted the Accountant-General of the Federation, Dr. Shamsudeen Babatunde, at the Ministry’s headquarters in Abuja, where they addressed funding challenges facing Unity Schools—particularly delays in overhead and feeding budget releases.
“Dr. Alausa proposed term-based disbursements and decentralization of lower-value approvals to ease bottlenecks. “Principals are under pressure from unpaid contractors, and school resumption has sometimes been delayed due to food supply issues,” he said.
“Dr. Babatunde endorsed the reforms and committed to immediate action. “I will ask the DFA to submit a formal request for termly disbursements,” he affirmed.
“He also emphasized prioritizing overhead payments and revealed that the Ministry of Finance is reviewing the current cash management policy to better suit today’s economic realities.
“The Accountant-General pledged support for improved digital infrastructure and decentralizing small transactions to strengthen oversight and boost efficiency.
“Both leaders reaffirmed their commitment to aligning financial processes with educational goals, in support of the Renewed Hope Agenda.”
