By Victoria Okpanachi
Kogi State Government has approved the sum of over N542 million, for the payment of 2025 JAMB and other internal examination fees for 74,334 students in public schools.
This was disclosed by the state Commissioner for Education, Honourable Wemi Jones, during a press conference held in Lokoja
Hon. Jones revealed that the government has approved payments for Basic Six and Common Entrance Examinations for 25,100 pupils amounting to N145,476,984, the Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE), for 30,500 student to the tune of N215,220,000, and JAMB fees for 18,734 for N181,719,800.
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The commissioner said the gesture is in line with the law for free examination registration for public school students and pupils in the state, explaining that the policy is to increase school enrollment, reduce out-of-school children and ensure school completion period.
Recall that the state government recently approved N661m for payment of the West African Examination Council (WAEC).
According to Hon. Jones, the funds have been released to the Ministry, bringing the total amount the government has committed to the payment of external and internal examinations for the 2024/2025 academic session to over ₦1.2 billion.
Hon. Jones highlighted that this development builds on the legacy of the former Governor, Alhaji Yahaya Bello, who signed the bill into law to cover all external and internal examination fees for public school students.
The commissioner also pointed out that the payment of the fees has positively impacted students’ academic performance.
“In 2024, we saw a 12% improvement in national examination results. This demonstrates that when financial stress is alleviated, students can focus better on their studies, leading to enhanced academic outcomes,” he said.
According to him, the ministry had commenced process of profiling to ensure that only deserving students benefit, insisting that only students captured for the payment will be the beneficiaries
He cautioned principals against including non beneficiary into the list. “We warn against ‘strange names’ creeping into the register. This will endanger the scheme and rob those who are supposed to benefit from benefiting,”he added.
Hon. Jones advised parents not to pay for these examinations, noting that everything has been covered including administrative charges and passports of the beneficiaries.
The commissioner assured that all eligible students would be considered, stating that the government is aware of some peculiarities like relocation and transfer, and will ensure that such students benefit after thorough investigation is carried out.
