The Taraba State Government has approved and released over N1.8 billion for the registration of candidates for the 2026 NECO, NABTEB and Basic Education Certificate Examination across the state.
Commissioner for Secondary, Technical and Vocational Education, Augustina Godwin, disclosed this during the symbolic presentation of cheques at the National Examinations Council office in Jalingo.
Godwin said the gesture reflected the commitment of Governor Agbu Kefas toward improving access to quality education and easing the financial burden on parents and guardians.
According to her, the state government paid N1,613,646,250 for the registration of 44,133 candidates for the 2026 NECO examinations.
She added that the government also released N53,865,000 for the registration of 1,570 candidates for the 2026 National Business and Technical Examinations Board examinations.
The commissioner further disclosed that the government approved N196,822,190 for the registration of 38,956 candidates for the 2026 Basic Education Certificate Examination across the state.
Godwin said the Kefas administration remained focused on revitalising the education sector through deliberate investments in examination sponsorship, infrastructure development, teachers’ capacity building and improvement of the learning environment.
She urged students, teachers and school administrators to justify the government’s support through discipline, dedication and avoidance of examination malpractice.
The commissioner commended the governor for prioritising the future of children in the state through prompt payment of examination fees, noting that the initiative had continued to improve school enrolment and student retention.
Officials of NECO and NABTEB in the state also commended the governor for the intervention, saying the free registration policy had increased candidates’ participation in the examinations compared to previous years.
Among those present at the event were the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Alhaji Idris A. Goje, directors of the ministry and executive secretaries of boards and parastatals under the ministry.
