The Gombe State Executive Council has given its approval for the release of a substantial sum of N665 million to fund the final secondary school examinations for thousands of students across the state this year.
Massive Investment in Future Leaders
This significant financial intervention was announced by the State Commissioner for Education, Aishatu Maigari, on Wednesday, January 1, 2026. The briefing took place at the Government House in Gombe following a State Executive Council meeting led by Governor Inuwa Yahaya.
Commissioner Maigari confirmed that the council approved a memo from her ministry to secure the funds. The money is specifically earmarked to pay for the Senior Secondary School Certificate Examination (SSCE) for a total of 23,873 eligible students in Gombe State.
Selection Based on Merit and Inclusivity
The beneficiaries were not chosen arbitrarily. Maigari explained that the state conducted a mock examination for 26,857 potential candidates. From this pool, 23,873 students, representing an impressive 88 percent, scored 50 percent and above, thereby qualifying for the government's sponsorship.
A detailed breakdown of the beneficiaries reveals the following:
- 21,909 students will have their West African Examinations Council (WAEC) fees paid.
- 1,431 candidates will be sponsored for the National Business and Technical Examinations Board (NABTEB) exams.
- 297 students will be presented for the National Board for Arabic and Islamic Studies (NBAIS) examinations.
The commissioner emphasized the inclusive nature of the initiative. The final list incorporates 183 non-indigene students who are on exchange programs within Gombe, as well as 53 students living with special needs. "This reflects the inclusive nature of Governor Inuwa Yahaya's administration," Maigari stated.
A Shared Responsibility for Education
Funding for this major educational project will be a joint effort. Commissioner Maigari clarified that the financial burden will be shared between the Gombe State government and the eleven local government areas under a 60-40 cost-sharing agreement. The state government will shoulder 60 percent of the cost, while the local governments will contribute the remaining 40 percent.
She described the payment as a key part of Governor Yahaya's deliberate strategy to achieve several critical goals:
- To remove financial obstacles that prevent students from accessing quality education.
- To improve overall academic performance and outcomes in the state.
- To strategically position Gombe State as a leading centre of learning and excellence in Nigeria's North-East region.
This approval underscores the state government's commitment to investing in human capital development and ensuring that financial constraints do not hinder the academic progression of its brightest students.
