NIGERIA: Taraba State Governor, Kefas Agbu, has released the sum of N1.39 billion to cover the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) fees for 39,536 students in public secondary schools across the state.
The intervention forms part of Governor Kefas’ ongoing free and compulsory education policy aimed at removing financial barriers and ensuring that every child in the state has access to quality education.
According to the Honourable Commissioner for Information and Re-orientation, Barr. Zainab Usman Jalingo, the funds amount to exactly N1,390,209,350.00 for the settlement of the 2026 WAEC fees. This covers 39,536 students and includes payments for CASS offload, administrative charges, practicals, monitoring, sensitisation, remuneration, school albums, registration PINs, and other related examination expenses.
“Following the release of funds for WAEC, the Taraba State Government is also set to settle the examination fees of 38,000 students who will be sitting for the National Examinations Council (NECO) as the next phase of the intervention,” the Commissioner stated.
She added that, in addition to the WAEC intervention, Governor Kefas has approved the release of N243,832,615.00 to support food contractors and transporters involved in the state’s Students Exchange Programme. The amount covers feeding arrangements and transportation logistics for students participating in the programme.
Out of this sum, N148,565,040.00 is allocated for the feeding of students at Government Comprehensive Secondary School, Jalingo and Government Day Secondary School, Wukari. Meanwhile, N52,750,490.00 and N42,517,085.00 are earmarked for the transportation of indigenous and non-indigenous students participating in the exchange programme across the 19 northern states.
These interventions reflect the administration’s sustained commitment to strengthening the education sector by ensuring that students participate seamlessly in both internal and external academic programmes.
The Commissioner noted that through the free education policy, the government continues to expand access to education, improve learning infrastructure, and provide critical support that enables students across the state to pursue their academic aspirations.
“With these interventions, the Taraba State Government remains committed to ensuring that children in the state have no reason to be out of school, as the administration continues to prioritise education as a foundation for sustainable development,” Barr. Zainab Usman Jalingo said.
