MAIDUGURI — Borno State Governor, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum, has approved the release of ₦565.7 million for the payment of 2026 external examination fees for 28,789 final-year students in public secondary schools across the state’s 27 local government areas.
The Commissioner for Education, Science, Technology and Innovation, Engr. Lawan Abba Wakilbe, announced the approval on Friday during the symbolic presentation of cheques at the Ministry’s Workhub Quality Assurance Office in Maiduguri.
The funding covers candidates sitting the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE), the National Business and Technical Examinations Board (NABTEB) examinations and the Senior Islamic Studies Examination (SISE).
Wakilbe said the sustained intervention by the Zulum administration had transformed examination administration in public schools by ensuring students receive their results at the same time as their counterparts in private institutions.
He noted that the state government currently subsidises 75 per cent of registration fees for WASSCE and SISE, while covering 70 per cent of NABTEB registration costs, thereby reducing the financial burden on parents and expanding access to education.
According to the commissioner, students of Higher Islamic Colleges are benefiting from the examination support scheme for the first time through SISE, a development he described as a major step toward integrating the Sangaya education system into the state’s formal education framework.
He said the initiative reflects Governor Zulum’s commitment to providing equal educational opportunities for all children, irrespective of their academic background.
Wakilbe disclosed that since the governor assumed office in 2019, the Borno State Government has spent ₦4.71 billion on the payment of external examination fees, benefiting 193,963 students across the state.
He added that the investment has eliminated the delays that previously affected the release of examination results for students in public schools.
Representing the West African Examinations Council (WAEC), the Officer-in-Charge of its Maiduguri Office, Dr. A. I. Akanimoh, commended the state government for the timely release of the funds, describing the gesture as a demonstration of Governor Zulum’s unwavering commitment to education.
At the ceremony, three symbolic cheques were presented on behalf of the governor, including ₦558.13 million to WAEC for WASSCE registration, ₦4.58 million to NABTEB for technical examination candidates and ₦3.03 million to the National Board for Arabic and Islamic Studies (NBAIS) for candidates writing the Senior Islamic Studies Examination.
Zulum Commissions Permanent NECO Office
In a related development, Governor Zulum also commissioned and handed over the newly completed permanent office of the National Examinations Council (NECO) in Maiduguri.
Represented by Commissioner Wakilbe, the governor said the facility, located at Moduganari Junction along the Maiduguri–Jos Road, was donated by the Borno State Government to enhance examination administration and improve educational service delivery.
Built on a 4,500-square-metre site within the premises of Mustapha Umar El-Kanemi Azhar College, the complex features an eight-office storey building, an examination strong room, a conference hall, ten conveniences, landscaped surroundings and a solar-powered electricity system.
Speaking at the event, NECO Zonal Director, Mrs. Deborah C. Rukop, expressed appreciation to Governor Zulum for completing the project after it had remained abandoned for more than a decade.
She said the permanent office would significantly strengthen NECO’s operations and improve service delivery across Borno State.
The commissioning ceremony was attended by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Education, Science, Technology and Innovation, Hajiya Yakaru Mustapha, senior ministry officials and representatives of the various examination bodies.
