Abstract
In 1999, the civilian government in power in Nigeria launched the Universal
Basic Education (UBE) scheme as one of the policies to achieve reform in the
education sector. The Universal Primary Education (UPE), a similar scheme, was
implemented at regional and national levels in the past but was short-lived due
to the issue of inadequate funds for its implementation, among other factors.
While everything is being put in place towards ensuring successful
implementation of the new scheme, the issue of funding needs to be given much
attention in view of the experience of the past. This paper traced the
historical trend of mass-free education provision in Nigeria, discussed the meaning of
basic education in Nigeria’s
context and highlighted the vision and mission of the Universal Basic Education
scheme. The paper further explored the aspects through which the community can
participate in its funding to ensure its successful implementation.
