A total of 24,917 students attending public secondary schools in Bauchi State will sit their external examinations without paying registration fees after Governor Bala Mohammed approved N888,507,400 to cover their costs.
The Bauchi State Ministry of Education announced the intervention on Friday through its Information and Public Relations Officer, Jalaludeen Usman, who explained that the funding addresses the financial challenges many families face in preparing their children for critical examinations.
Governor Mohammed's approval covers multiple examination bodies, including the National Examinations Council, the National Business and Technical Examinations Board, the National Board for Arabic and Islamic Studies, and the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board, along with Computer Based Test training.
Usman broke down the distribution of beneficiaries across different examinations, revealing that NECO registration would accommodate the largest group with 22,646 students, followed by 6,562 students benefiting from JAMB registration and CBT training.
He disclosed that 2,064 students would be registered for NABTEB examinations, whilst 207 students would benefit from NBAIS registration, bringing the total number of beneficiaries statewide to 24,917.
The Education Ministry spokesman described the governor's decision as a strategic investment in education and human capital development that would expand access to higher education opportunities for young people in public schools.
"The Bauchi State Ministry of Education extends its warmest appreciation to Governor Bala Mohammed for finding these students worthy of such a strategic investment," Usman stated.
He emphasised that the intervention would substantially reduce the burden on parents and guardians whilst empowering thousands of students to pursue higher education and career pathways that might otherwise remain out of reach.
Usman reaffirmed the state government's dedication to improving educational outcomes and creating conditions that enable students to succeed academically, noting that the administration continues prioritising policies and programmes that strengthen the education sector.
He stressed that the government remained focused on ensuring that no eligible student was denied access to examinations due to financial constraints, recognising that these external examinations serve as gateways to tertiary education and professional opportunities.
The funding arrives as students across Nigeria prepare for examinations that will determine their progression to universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education, with many families struggling to afford registration costs amid economic pressures.
Bauchi State's intervention joins a growing wave of support by state governments, philanthropists, and organisations across Nigeria who have stepped forward to sponsor examination fees during the current academic session.
