Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya of Gombe State on Wednesday presided over the 51st and final meeting of the State Executive Council (SEC) for the year 2025, approving several projects and financial commitments across education, infrastructure, transport and governance.
The meeting, held at the Government House, Gombe, considered memoranda from the Ministries of Education; Works, Housing and Transport; and Finance and Economic Development.
Briefing journalists after the meeting, the Commissioner for Information and Culture, Hon. Mijinyawa Ardo Tilde, said the approvals reflected the administration’s commitment to human capital development, infrastructure expansion and economic growth.
Speaking on education matters, the Commissioner for Education, Associate Prof. Aishatu Umar Maigari, said the council approved N661.56 million for the payment of Senior Secondary Certificate Examination (SSCE) fees for 23,873 students across the state.
She explained that the beneficiaries emerged from a mock examination conducted for 26,857 candidates, out of which about 88 per cent scored 50 per cent and above.
According to her, 21,909 students will sit for WAEC, 1,431 for NABTEB and 297 for NBAIS, including 183 non-indigene students on exchange programmes and 53 students with special needs.
Maigari added that the cost of the examination fees would be jointly funded by the state government and the 11 local governments in a 60–40 ratio, noting that the initiative was aimed at removing financial barriers to education.
On infrastructure, the Commissioner for Works, Housing and Transport, Engr. Maijama’a Kallamu, said the council approved the construction of 6.3 kilometres of roads within the Family Homes Estate and Northern Tumfure axis at a cost of N7.097 billion.
He said approval was also granted for the construction and reconstruction of 20.1 kilometres of strategic roads across the state at a total cost of N26.7 billion.
Kallamu listed some of the projects to include a new road linking ATC Gombe to the GSU Express Road, reconstruction of Layin Speaker Road with extension to Kasuwan Mata Road, and additional roads within the Special Capital Development Zone.
Other approvals include N714.37 million for roads and facilities at the Qatar Foundation site along the Southern By-pass, N202.6 million for the construction of a Gombe Geographic Information Systems (GOGIS) Area Office, and N669.98 million for the renovation and upgrade of the Gombe International Airport, Lawanti.
On financial matters, the Commissioner for Finance and Economic Development, Mr Muhammad Gambo Magaji, said the council approved N321 million for compensation to property owners affected by the construction of an underpass and other road projects within the Special Development Zone.
He clarified that while N129 million was initially approved as compensation for land owners at Jauro Abare, the governor approved an additional N140.8 million as compassionate payment following public concerns.
Magaji also disclosed that governors of the North-East states had agreed to float a regional airline to improve connectivity and economic activities within the sub-region, adding that Gombe State had approved its N5 billion contribution.
He further said the council approved N2.1 billion for the purchase of 26 operational and security vehicles for the newly created 13 Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs), which are expected to commence operations in January 2026.
The meeting marked the last SEC session for 2025 in Gombe State.
