Governor Ahmed Ododo of Kogi has approved N542 million for the payment of 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UMTE) fees to 18,734 students in public schools across the state.

The amount will also cover the Common Entrance Examination (CEE) for Basic six pupils and Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) fees for students in public schools.

The Commissioner for Education, Wemi Jones, disclosed this at a press conference on Tuesday in Lokoja.

Mr Jones explained that N145.4 million would cover CEE for 25,100 basic six pupils and N215.2 million for 30,500 students qualified for BECE.

He added that N181.7 million would cover UTME fees for 18,734 students, amounting to N542.4 million.

Mr Jones said the gesture was in line with the state government’s law that provides for free examination registration fees for Kogi students in public primary and secondary schools.

The commissioner said the law was enacted by former Governor Yahaya Bello and expressed the commitment of the Ododo-led administration to consolidate the gains recorded by the previous administration in the education sector.

In October 2024, the state government released more than N661.3 million for the payment of 2024/2025 West African Examination Council fees for students in public schools.

Mr Jones said the state government had spent N1.2 billion on payment for public school students’ external and internal examinations in the 2024/2025 academic session.

According to him, the gesture significantly increased school enrolment rates in the state, with the 2024 payments increasing school enrolment by 18 per cent.

“These efforts had greatly reduced the number of out-of-school children that remained a great challenge in the education sector.

“It has also enhanced students’ performance in national examinations,” he said.

The commissioner commended Mr Ododo for prioritising access to quality education to reduce poverty and illiteracy rates.

He implored the schools’ principals and other heads to cooperate with the ministry for a seamless registration exercise for the benefit of the targeted children.

However, Mr Jones warned that the government would come down heavily on any school principal who tried to shortchange the students or sabotage the process. (NAN)