Yahaya okays N580m SSCE fees for over 20,000 Gombe students 

The Gombe State Executive Council (SEC), presided over by Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya, Tuesday, approved N580 million for the payment of registration fees for over 20,000 students sitting for various Senior School Certificate Examination (SSCE) in 2025.

This was announced by the Commissioner of Information, Culture and Ethical orientation, Hon. Mijinyawa Ardo Tilde, when he led other council members to a press briefing after the 45th executive council meeting.

Speaking on the council’s approval for the payment of the SSCE, the Commissioner for Education, Prof. Aishatu Umar Maigari, stated that the Gombe state government has consistently funded SSCE payments since 2019 to ease parents’ financial burdens and ensure indigent students complete their secondary education without obstacles.

“Today, at the council meeting, approval was granted for the payment of registration fees for various SSCE for 20,477 students across the state. Out of this number, fees were paid for 18,723 indigent students for WAEC, 110 students under the Exchange Programme Officer, 58 students from Special Schools, 1,368 students for NABTEB, and 219 students from Arabic colleges for NBAIS”, the Commissioner stated. 

“The total amount approved for this year’s SSCE is N580, 870,900. This amount will be shared between the state and local governments. Let me also restate that the payment of SSCE fees has been an annual practice of this administration since 2019, and it is aimed at alleviating the financial burden on parents and ensuring that our students across the state have the opportunity to complete their secondary education,” the commissioner stated. 

He further  said before the Governor Inuwa led administration came on board, only 23% of students who sat for various SSCE exams obtained five credits, including English and Mathematics,  adding that with the continuous reforms in the education sector and the increased annual payment of SSCE fees, the number has risen to about 70%.

In a related development, the commissioner announced council’s approval for a new sanitation roadmap in schools and healthcare facilities aimed at improving hygiene and environmental standards across the state.