Akwa Ibom State Governor, Umo Eno, has approved the release of ₦1.968 billion to cover examination fees for students in public basic and secondary schools across the state, reaffirming his administration’s commitment to providing free and compulsory education.
The governor disclosed the approval in a post shared on his official X account, stating that the funds would cover the costs of major external and internal examinations for eligible students.
According to him, “I have approved ₦1.968 billion for the payment of examination fees for Akwa Ibom students at the basic and secondary education levels.”
He explained that the approval includes ₦1.368 billion for the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) and other related expenses, ₦50 million for the National Business and Technical Examinations Board (NABTEB), and ₦550 million for the Common Entrance Examination, Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE), promotion examinations, and entrance examinations into the state’s specialised schools.
The governor also highlighted the broader investment his administration has made in the education sector, noting that the latest approval comes in addition to funds already earmarked for student bursaries.
“With the additional ₦1.3 billion already committed to the 2025/2026 bursary scheme, our administration has invested over ₦3.2 billion in education through these approvals. This reflects our commitment to free and compulsory education and ensuring that no Akwa Ibom child is denied an opportunity to learn because of financial difficulty,” Eno said.