The Borno State Government has continued its effort to reduce the financial burden of education on families by funding external examination fees for thousands of students across the state.
The latest intervention saw the state present a cheque of ₦622.3 million to the National Examinations Council (NECO) for the payment of examination fees for 27,599 final-year students in public secondary schools.
Here are some key things to know:
1. More Than 27,000 Students Benefited This Year
The payment covers the 2026 Senior Secondary Certificate Examination (SSCE) fees of 27,599 students in public schools across Borno State.
The beneficiaries are final-year students preparing to complete their secondary education.
2. The State Has Maintained the Policy Since 2019
According to the state government, the examination-fee support programme has been in place since 2019.
Under the policy, Borno subsidises 75 per cent of the cost of major external examinations, including WASSCE, SSCE and NABTEB.
3. Nearly ₦6 Billion Has Been Spent So Far
Since the programme began, the state says it has committed ₦5.99 billion to support students’ examination fees.
The investment has benefited 193,396 students across the state over the past seven years.
4. More Than ₦1.1 Billion Was Allocated in 2026 Alone
For 2026, the state government disclosed that it committed ₦1.2 billion toward the payment of fees for WASSCE, SSCE, SISE and NABTEB examinations.
The latest NECO payment forms part of that broader education support package.
5. The Goal Is to Remove Financial Barriers
The government says the programme is designed to ensure that students are not prevented from sitting for their final examinations because of financial difficulties.
Officials described the initiative as part of efforts to improve access to education and support academic progression among young people in the state.
6. The Exams Were Conducted Across All 24 LGAs
The 2026 SSCE was conducted across Borno State’s 24 Local Government Areas, allowing eligible students from different communities to participate in the examination.
7. The State Is Preparing for CBT Examinations
Beyond funding examination fees, the state government has also pledged support for the planned transition to Computer-Based Testing (CBT) examinations in 2027.
The move is expected to align examination administration with evolving national assessment standards.
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