Kogi State Governor, Usman Ododo, has approved over N542 million for the payment of the 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination and other internal examination fees for students in public schools across the state.
The announcement was made by the Commissioner for Education, Wemi Jones, during a press briefing on Tuesday in Lokoja.
He explained that the funds would cover registration fees for the 2025 Basic Six and Common Entrance Examination, Basic Education Certificate Examination and UTME.
“A total of N145,476,984 has been allocated for 25,100 pupils for Basic Six and CCE; N215,220,000 for 30,500 students under BECE; and N181,719,800 for 18,734 students’ UTME/JAMB fees, amounting to N542,416,784,” Jones said.
According to the commissioner, this initiative complies with a law mandating free registration fees for students in public primary and secondary schools, a policy introduced by former Governor Yahaya Bello.
“Governor Ododo, building on the foundation laid by his predecessor, remains committed to consolidating achievements in the education sector,” he added.
Jones further revealed that the state government had also disbursed over N661.3 million for the 2024/2025 West African Senior School Certificate Examination fees for SS3 students in public schools, bringing the total investment in both internal and external examinations to over N1.2 billion for the 2024/2025 academic session.
He noted that this intervention had a remarkable impact on school enrolment, leading to an 18 per cent increase in 2024, while also helping to address the issue of out-of-school children.
He added that the initiative has significantly enhanced students’ performance in national examinations.
The commissioner applauded Ododo’s commitment to improving education and reducing poverty and illiteracy across the state.
Jones called on principals and school heads to collaborate with the ministry for a seamless registration process, cautioning that any attempt to undermine the initiative or exploit students would be met with strict disciplinary measures.
