Borno State Governor Banagana Umara Zulum has approved the payment of N493 million to cover the examination fees of 25,075 students who sat for the 2024 Senior Secondary Certificate Examination (SSCE) in public schools across the state.
The Honourable Commissioner of Education, Science, Technology, and Innovation, Hon. Engr. Lawan Abba Wakilbe, announced this on Friday while presenting the check to the national examination council (NECO) at the conference hall of the quality assurance office of the ministry.
Wakilbe noted that the government’s subsidy of 75% for the examination fees demonstrates its commitment to making education accessible to all.
“His Excellency, Prof. Babagana Umara Zulum CON, mni, FNSE, FNIAE, has once again demonstrated his commitment to providing equal opportunities for students in both public and private schools to access their results simultaneously,” the commissioner said during the disbursement ceremony.
The commissioner also commended the National Examinations Council (NECO) for its continued support and announced plans to complete a permanent NECO office in the state.
“In recognition of NECO’s efforts, His Excellency has directed the Ministry to submit plans for the completion of the permanent NECO office at the Mustapha Umar Elkanemi College. Following this briefing, we will visit the site, where NECO will formally hand it over to the engineers, allowing for the necessary work to be completed.” Wakilbe Said
The Honourable Commissioner also noted that the Borno State Government has disbursed a total of N4 billion for examination fees since the current administration took office in 2019.
While expressing gratitude to school principals who have upheld examination ethics, the commissioner warned against registering students without proper school records.
He emphasised the importance of verifying continuous assessment records, attendance records, and biometric data from SS I to SS III.
“I would also like to commend our school principals who have upheld examination ethics and quotas. However, the government has resolved to take strict action against any principal who registers students without proper school records. While we support genuine former students who wish to retake their exams, we strongly oppose the registration of external candidates who have no documented history with the school.”
“This illegal practice leads to difficulties in student verification, encourages indiscipline, and results in corruption and malpractice within public schools. It also places a heavy financial burden on the government and depletes the state’s limited resources. Any principal whose school’s examination centre is derecognized due to malpractice will be immediately removed from their position.”
Meanwhile, the NECO’s Borno State Coordinator, Mr. Dauda Thomas Yahaya, has expressed gratitude to the Borno State government for its financial support, which will significantly alleviate the financial burden on the council.
On behalf of NECO’s Registrar and CEO, Professor Dantani Ibrahim Wushishi, Yahaya acknowledged the payment and commended Governor Banagana Umara Zulum and Commissioner Engr Wakilbe for covering the SSCE fees of public school children, demonstrating their commitment to advancing education in the state.
