The Gombe State Government, in collaboration with the state’s 11 Local Government Areas (LGAs), has approved ₦580,870,900 to cover the ordinary-level examination fees for 20,478 students across the state.
The payment covers candidates sitting for the West African Examinations Council (WAEC), National Board for Arabic and Islamic Studies (NBAIS), and the National Business and Technical Examinations Board (NABTEB).
The decision was announced on Monday by the Commissioner for Education, Dr. Aishatu Maigari, following a State Executive Council (SEC) meeting.
Breakdown of Beneficiaries
Dr. Maigari confirmed that offline registration has been completed, while online registration is set to commence for all beneficiaries.
“A total of 18,723 indigenous students have been paid for WAEC,” she stated.
“Additionally, 110 exchange students from the 19 northern states, in line with Governor Muhammadu Yahaya’s tradition, have also been covered.”
The Commissioner provided a detailed breakdown of how the funds have been allocated:
- 58 students with special needs at the Special Education Centre have had their exam fees fully covered.
- 1,368 students in technical colleges have been sponsored for NABTEB, despite the Federal Government’s reclassification of science and technical colleges to purely technical institutions.
- 219 students in Government Arabic Colleges have had their NBAIS fees settled.
“This brings the total number of beneficiaries to 20,478 candidates, amounting to ₦580,870,900, which will be shared between the state and local governments,” Maigari explained.
Sanitation Roadmap for Schools and Health Facilities
Beyond the exam sponsorship, the Gombe State Executive Council also approved a new sanitation roadmap aimed at enhancing hygiene standards in schools and healthcare facilities.
“A coordinating body will oversee sanitation efforts, alongside the provision of hygiene infrastructure, sustainability measures, education, enforcement, and community engagement,” Maigari noted.
The sanitation initiative will involve multiple government ministries, including:
- Ministry of Water, Environment & Forest Resources
- Ministry of Health
- Ministry of Education
The project is expected to promote cleaner and healthier learning environments across Gombe State, reinforcing the government’s commitment to quality education and public health.
Commitment to Education
This initiative aligns with Governor Muhammadu Yahaya’s ongoing efforts to improve education accessibility and quality in the state. The full coverage of WAEC, NABTEB, and NBAIS exam fees reflects the administration’s proactive approach to supporting students and ensuring that financial constraints do not hinder their academic progression.
