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The Akwa Ibom State government has released N778.9 million to cover the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) fees for 48,797 public senior secondary school students in the state.
This information was disclosed by the Commissioner for Education, Mrs. Idongesit Etiebiet, in an interview. Ms. Etiebiet explained that this initial payment represents 50% of the total cost, with the remaining balance to be paid “in due course.”
The breakdown of the N778.9 million covers not only the exam fee itself, but also the National Identity Number (NIN) registration fee, biometric capturing, and administrative costs. The Commissioner noted a significant increase in exam-related costs, with the overall yearly payment by the state government rising from N1 billion to N1.5 billion. This increase is due in part to a rise in the individual WASSCE fee per student, which has jumped from N18,000 to N27,000.
Despite these rising costs, Ms. Etiebiet commended Governor Umo Eno’s administration for its commitment to supporting students’ education “despite the prevailing socio-economic realities in the country.” She urged the students to reciprocate this investment by working hard and performing well in their exams.
The Commissioner also highlighted the government’s support for students beyond exam fees. She mentioned an ongoing bursary program that has already benefitted over 10,000 students in tertiary institutions across the country.
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