Eno approves ₦1.97bn examination fees for Akwa Ibom students

Etim Ekpimah

Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, has approved ₦1.968 billion to pay examination fees for public basic and secondary school students. This brings his administration’s latest investment in the education sector to more than ₦3.2 billion.

The approval covers examination fees and related expenses for students of Akwa Ibom origin, forming part of the administration’s commitment to sustaining free and compulsory education under the ARISE Agenda.

Governor Eno has directed the Ministry of Education and relevant agencies to implement the approval immediately. This ensures the prompt payment of all examination-related fees, preventing eligible students from being denied access to exams due to financial constraints.

Breakdown of the approved funds

A detailed breakdown of the funding shows targeted allocations across major examination bodies:

WASSCE: ₦1.368 billion has been earmarked for the West African Senior School Certificate Examination fees and associated expenses. This package covers National Identification Number (NIN) registration, online and offline biometric registration, science practical examinations, Continuous Assessment (CASS), monitoring, and examination administration.

NABTEB: ₦50 million has been approved for the National Business and Technical Examinations Board fees.

State Examinations: ₦550 million will fund key state examinations. These include the Common Entrance and Placement Examination, the Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE), the Senior Secondary II Promotion Examination, and entrance examinations into both the Senior Science Colleges and the Government Model Girls’ Secondary School.

Impact and broad sector investment

According to the government, the intervention will benefit thousands of students across the state by removing financial barriers, improving learning outcomes, and promoting equal access to educational opportunities regardless of socio-economic background.

This latest approval follows the administration’s recent ₦1.3 billion commitment to the 2025/2026 students’ bursary scheme, raising total educational investment to over ₦3.2 billion.

The government stated that the intervention underscores Governor Eno’s commitment to human capital development and his determination to build an education system that equips Akwa Ibom children with the skills needed for future success.

Officials added that the state will continue to implement policies and programmes that place education at the heart of sustainable development, ensuring no child is left behind due to financial limitations.

The approval was announced in an official statement signed by the Commissioner for Information, Hon. Aniekan Umanah on Tuesday, 14 July 2026.