Gombe State has once again demonstrated its commitment to education by approving over ₦661 million to settle Senior Secondary Certificate Examination fees for 23,873 students across public schools in the state.
The decision was reached during the 51st State Executive Council meeting held on January 1, 2026, under the chairmanship of Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya. Announcing the approval, Commissioner for Education Dr Aishatu Umar Maigari explained that the beneficiaries emerged from a rigorous screening process involving a mock examination taken by 26,857 candidates, with 88 per cent scoring 50 per cent or higher to qualify.
Of the sponsored students, 21,909 will sit for the West African Examinations Council (WAEC), 1,431 for the National Business and Technical Examinations Board (NABTEB), and 297 for the National Board for Arabic and Islamic Studies (NBAIS). The initiative also covers 183 non-indigene students participating in exchange programmes and 53 learners with special needs, highlighting the administration’s emphasis on inclusivity.
The total cost of ₦661,557,121 will be shared between the state government (60 per cent) and the 11 local government councils (40 per cent), ensuring collaborative funding for the programme.
Dr Maigari described the intervention as a deliberate effort to eliminate financial obstacles that often prevent indigent families from allowing their children to complete secondary education. She noted that such support has become a hallmark of Governor Yahaya’s policy since he declared a state of emergency in the education sector upon assuming office in 2019.
This latest sponsorship continues a well-established tradition in Gombe. Similar approvals have been made annually, contributing significantly to improved enrolment, retention, and performance in external examinations. State records indicate that credit passes in core subjects, including English Language and Mathematics, have risen steadily over the years due to these targeted investments.
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