The Gombe State Government has approved over N661 million for the payment of external examination fees for 23,873 secondary school students across the state.
The approval was granted at the 51st meeting of the Gombe State Executive Council, presided over by Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya, on Thursday.
Briefing journalists after the meeting, the Commissioner for Education, Dr Aishatu Maigari, said the decision followed the outcome of a mock examination conducted for 26,857 candidates, out of which a significant majority met the required benchmark.
“Eighty-eight per cent of the candidates scored 50 per cent and above in the mock examination and therefore qualified for government-sponsored examination support,” Maigari said.
She disclosed that the council approved N661,557,121 for the payment of Senior Secondary School Certificate Examination fees for eligible students sitting for different examination bodies.
“Out of the 23,873 beneficiaries, 21,909 students will sit for WAEC, 1,431 for NABTEB, while 297 candidates will be presented for NBAIS,” she explained.
According to the commissioner, the beneficiaries include 183 non-indigene students participating in exchange programmes in the state, as well as 53 students living with special needs, a move she said reflects the administration’s inclusive education agenda.
“This intervention reflects the inclusive nature of Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya’s administration, which ensures that no child is left behind due to financial constraints,” Maigari stated.
She further noted that the funding arrangement would be jointly borne by the state government and the 11 local government councils, with the state contributing 60 per cent and the local governments 40 per cent of the total cost.
Maigari added that the initiative is part of the governor’s broader strategy to remove financial barriers to education, boost students’ academic performance, and strengthen Gombe State’s position as a centre of learning in the North-East.
“The goal is to improve learning outcomes and give every eligible student a fair chance to succeed, regardless of their background,” she said.
