Governor Usman Ahmed Ododo of Kogi State has authorized the payment of WAEC fees for 18,734 public secondary school students for the 2024/2025 academic year.
The Kogi State Commissioner for Education, Hon. Wemi Jones, revealed during a press briefing in his office that the state government has allocated N600m for West Africa Examination Council (WAEC) fees.
The Commissioner stressed that the payment aligns with the State Government’s legislation providing free examination fees for public school pupils.
He stated that with the law in effect, government became accountable for shouldering the expenses of internal and external examinations for pupils attending public primary schools.
He commended Gov. Usman Ahmed Ododo for building on the legacy and foundation established by his predecessor, former Gov. Yahaya Bello.
‘ For the 2024/2025 WAEC, we approached the Governor in accordance with the existing law for his approval for the payment of student of WAEC for 18734 Students”.
” With this development, the WAEC fees in public secondary schools in Kogi State has been paid for by the State Government”.
” In 2024, the State Government paid for 15033 students. With this increase, we can imagine that more parents are now moving their Ward’s to public schools leading to an increase of 3,700 students”.
” This governmental initiative is designed to simplify life for citizens, parents, and guardians, while also tackling the problem of out-of-school children and promoting universal completion of education at that level.”
The Commissioner appreciated the support of school Principals who eased the government’s implementation last year, advising Principals who resisted of the severe penalties they would face.
The State Government will soon take on the payment of JAMB and NABTEB fees for public school students and also provide coverage for the First School Leaving Certificate and Basic Education Certificate Examination fees.
