Akwa Ibom Releases N778.9 Million for WAEC Fees of 48,797 Students

The Akwa Ibom State government has shown its commitment to education by approving an initial release of N778.9 million to cover the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) fees for 48,797 final year students in public secondary schools. This information was disclosed by the Commissioner for Education, Mrs. Idongesit Etiebiet, in a recent interview.

The released funds will cater to various examination expenses, including National Identity Number (NIN) registration fees, biometric capturing, administrative costs, and half of the total WASSCE fee per student.

Mrs. Etiebiet highlighted the rising examination costs, which have caused the annual government expenditure to jump from N1 billion to N1.5 billion. The West African Examination fee itself has increased from N18,000 to N27,000 per candidate.

“This initial payment ensures our students can participate in the exams,” explained Mrs. Etiebiet. “The government will settle the remaining balance of over N700 million in due course.”

The Commissioner commended Governor Umo Eno for prioritizing student well-being despite economic challenges and urged students to reciprocate the government’s investment through hard work and excellent results.

She also highlighted the ongoing bursary program, which has benefitted over 10,000 students since its inception. This initiative further demonstrates the government’s dedication to supporting the educational aspirations of Akwa Ibom youths.