Governor Babagana Umara Zulum of Borno State has approved the payment of N529,699,500 to cover the 2025 West African Senior Secondary Certificate Examination (WASSCE) fees for 26,158 final-year pupils in public secondary schools across all 27 local government areas.

The payment ceremony was held at the Quality Assurance Office in Maiduguri, Zulum was represented by Lawan Abba Wakilbe, the Commissioner of Education, Science, Technology and Innovation, said the initiative is part of current administration to enhance and reposition education sector.

Wakilbe stated that this initiative reflects Governor Zulum’s deep commitment to making education accessible and equitable, especially for children from disadvantaged backgrounds.

He highlighted that the government consistently subsidises 75% of WASSCE registration fees for eligible public-school students.

“This sustained investment underscores the governor’s broader vision of an inclusive education system where no child is left behind,” Wakilbe said.

He emphasised a key achievement of this policy: public school students now receive their examination results concurrently with their counterparts in private schools, promoting fairness and equal opportunity.

With this latest payment, the total government expenditure on external examination fees since 2019 has reached a staggering ₦3,523,182,800, benefiting a total of 165,442 students.

Walkibe acknowledged the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) for its continued partnership, particularly for extending examination centres to all parts of the state, including Askira Uba and Ngala LGAs this year.

This expansion eliminates the need for students to relocate to Maiduguri for exams, easing pressure on boarding facilities and enhancing safety and logistics.

He also extended gratitude to key stakeholders, including the Chairmen of Gubio, Kaga, Askira Uba, Ngala, Bama, Damboa, Mafa, Dikwa, Monguno, Mobbar, Gwoza, Magumeri, and Chibok LGAs, for providing vital logistical support.

Special appreciation was also given to the Special Adviser on Education, Hon. Abubakar Tijjani; the Director of the Education Resource Centre, Abba Sheriff; and all local government education secretaries for their oversight.

“This milestone is a strong indication of the progress we are making in post-insurgency educational recovery and a testament to the resilience of our students, teachers, and communities,” Wakilbe concluded.

Meanwhile, confirming the receipt of the payment, Dr Leonard Mado Odoh, Deputy Registrar and Zonal Coordinator of the WAEC Zonal Office Maiduguri, expressed profound appreciation for Governor Zulum’s consistent support.

“We’re here with my colleagues at the West African Excamona Council on a delegation by the head of the national office WAEC to receive the payment from the Borno State Government.” Dr Odoh stated.

“A historical event that didn’t start today. A great landmark by His Excellency (Gov. Zulum) and the executive by the Honourable Commissioner of Education, as announced today, is to the tune of N529,699,500. A round of applause for this great accomplishment. We sincerely appreciate you,” he emphasized.

The Zulum administration is prioritizing revitalize education sector under leadership of Commissioner for Education, Science, Technology and Innovation, Lawan Abba Wakilbe, who supervised training of thousands of teachers both at formative and elementary levels across the 27 local government areas of Borno state.

He maintained that the current administration has built more than hundreds and renovated many others that were initially destroyed by activities of Boko-Haram/ ISWAP terrorists in the state.

Wakilbe commenced a week-long school supervision tour across Damboa, Chibok, Askira-Uba, and Gwoza Local Government Areas in the southern part of the state.

He began his visit at Government Secondary School, Damboa, where he led a special assembly in honour of the late Principal, Mohammed Yakubu, who passed away on Monday, 23rd June 2025. As a mark of respect, he directed the school to observe a two-day closure.

Meanwhile, He continued his inspection at Government Girls Technical College, Damboa, where he commended the Principal, Amina Ali Yanga, and her staff for their dedication and resilience. The tour continued to New Damboa Junior Day Secondary School, Tolomari College for Higher Islamic Studies, Government Day Secondary School Gumsuri, Garjan Primary School, Garjan Junior Day Secondary School, and Wovi Primary School.

In Chibok, the Commissioner paid a condolence visit to Kwanta Fogu, mother of the late teacher Blessing Luka, a staff member of Damboa LGEA, who lost her life in a bomb blast along the Maiduguri–Damboa road on 12th May 2025.

He then visited Government Secondary School, Chibok, to inspect completed renovation works and ongoing academic activities. Other schools inspected include the Higher Islamic College, Chibok (under construction), Wuntaku West Junior Secondary School, Chibok Central Primary School, and Chibok Junior Day Secondary School.

The tour continued to Mbalala, where the Commissioner inspected the Government Technical College, as well as the primary and junior day secondary schools in the area.

Wakilbe continued his week-long supervision tour with a visit to Askira-Uba Local Government Area where he paid courtesy visit to His Royal Highness, the Emir of Askira, Abdullahi Ibn Mohammadu Askirama II. He expressed appreciation for the Emir’s continued support for education and community development in the area.

The tour continued to Government Secondary School, Rumirgo, and subsequently to the recently completed Higher Islamic College, Uba. The day ended with a comprehensive inspection of Government Secondary School, Uba, including completed renovations and classroom activities in progress.

After the school inspections, the delegation proceeded to Dzakwa town in Hong Local Government Area of Adamawa State to pay a condolence visit to Pastor Patrick Budgu, father of the late Gidighau Vitalis a teacher with Damboa LGEA who tragically lost his life in the bomb blast of Monday, 12th May 2025.

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