INTERGOVERNMENTAL RELATIONS AND BASIC EDUCATION FINANCING IN NIGERIA: A STUDY OF THE KWARA STATE UNIVERSAL BASIC EDUCATION BOARD (2019–2024)

Research Problem: Basic education is central to human capital development, yet persistent coordination weaknesses continue to undermine Nigeria’s Universal Basic Education (UBE) system. Although the Fourth Republic introduced collaborative mechanisms across federal, state, and local governments, their effectiveness in Kwara State between 2019 and 2024 remains poorly understood. Delays in disbursement, weak institutional capacities, and fragmented intergovernmental engagement continue to threaten the efficiency and sustainability of UBE financing. Methods/Theory: The study employed a mixed-methods design anchored on Collaborative Governance Theory. Quantitative data were derived from structured questionnaires administered to teachers and administrative staff, while qualitative insights came from interviews with education officials, SUBEB personnel, and civil society representatives. This design enabled triangulation of funding patterns, coordination processes, and institutional performance indicators. Results: Findings show that coordination between state and local governments has improved fund utilization, transparency, and infrastructural development in Kwara State. Joint planning sessions, clear policy directives, and structured monitoring frameworks have enhanced the implementation of UBE financing. However, challenges persist, including delayed counterpart funding, bureaucratic bottlenecks, limited local government participation in decision-making, and inconsistent adherence to financial timelines. Conclusion: Collaborative governance has strengthened coordination and financial oversight within Kwara State’s basic education sector, yet the persistence of institutional and fiscal bottlenecks continues to constrain long-term sustainability. Effective collaboration requires predictable funding flows, clarity of roles, and consistent administrative commitment across government tiers. Key Contribution to Knowledge: The study demonstrates empirically that structured collaborative governance mechanisms can improve education financing outcomes by enhancing intergovernmental coordination and multi-stakeholder participation. It advances existing scholarship by showing how institutional design and cooperative frameworks shape the functioning of Nigeria’s basic education system at state level. Recommendation: The study recommends the adoption of automated disbursement systems, stricter enforcement of financial management timelines, enhanced stakeholder engagement, and stronger institutional frameworks to ensure transparency, efficiency, and sustainability in basic education financing