Gov. Eno Pays N778.9m WAEC Fees for 48,797 Students in Akwa Ibom State

Governor Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom has approved the release of N778,998,500 for the payment of West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) fees for 48,797 students in the 2023/2024 academic year.

This commendable decision by the Governor was revealed by the Commissioner for Education, Mrs. Idongesit Etiebiet, during a recent interview in Uyo, the state capital.

According to Mrs. Etiebiet, the funds will cover National Identity Number (NIN) registration fee, biometric registration, administrative costs, and 50% of the WASSCE fee for the students.

The Commissioner highlighted that this year’s examination costs have increased from N18,000 to N27,000 per candidate, raising the yearly payment by the State Government from N1 billion to N1.5 billion.

However, Gov. Eno’s administration remains committed to ensuring students’ welfare despite the prevailing socio-economic challenges.

In addition to the WASSCE fee payment, Gov. Eno’s administration recently released an additional N100 million for bursary payments to students of Akwa Ibom State origin studying in various tertiary institutions across the country.

Furthermore, grants ranging from N250,000 to N350,000 were also provided to students with disabilities, starting with tertiary institutions.

Mrs. Etiebiet emphasized the importance of these investments in the students’ future, encouraging them to work hard and excel in their examinations.

She also commended Gov. Eno for his unwavering commitment to the state’s education sector.

With the initial payment of N778,998,500, the students can now participate in the 2023/2024 WASSCE without any financial constraints.

The State Government is expected to pay the remaining balance of over N700 million in due course.

As the students embark on this crucial examination, the support from Gov. Eno’s administration is a testament to the importance of investing in education and the potential it holds for the future of the state and its residents.