The Kano State Government has approved the sum of N3 billion to cover the examination fees of 141,745 indigent students across the state.
This was announced by the State Commissioner for Education, Alhaji Ali Haruna Makoda, during a press briefing in Kano on Saturday. He noted that the initiative aligns with Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf’s Education Reform Agenda, which aims to enhance access to quality education and reduce the financial burden on families.
As part of the reform, the government has released the results of the 2024 Senior Secondary Qualifying Examination and reiterated its dedication to improving the education sector. The governor had earlier declared a state of emergency on education and allocated 31.5% of the 2025 state budget to the sector.
Makoda explained that the beneficiaries include students from public schools under the Kano Educational Resource Department (KERD), the Science and Technical Schools Board (STSB), and the Agency for Integrated Education Development (AIED). Over 75% of these students qualified through the 2024 examination process, which served as a prerequisite for state sponsorship.
“In 2023, the state sponsored 125,000 candidates. This year, Governor Yusuf has approved the sponsorship of all indigent candidates who secured a minimum of five credits in the 2024 Senior Secondary Qualifying Examination,” he said.
The state will fully fund the registration fees for the 2025 NECO, NABTEB, NBAIS, and SSCE national examinations for eligible students.
Makoda described the move as a bold and timely step toward promoting academic excellence, increasing educational access, and supporting vulnerable families. He also directed school principals to ensure that all qualified candidates benefit from the scheme without bias or obstruction.
“Students must be granted this support unconditionally and with complete transparency,” he emphasized.
Further details regarding the registration process will be communicated to schools and the public through the relevant educational bodies—KERD, STSB, and AIED.
“With this initiative, Kano joins a select group of Nigerian states demonstrating strong policy and financial commitment to youth education,” Makoda added. “This is not just about examinations; it’s about shaping Kano’s future through an educated and empowered generation.”
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