Dikko Radda, the governor of Katsina State, has approved the release of N364,842,000.00 to settle the West African Examination Council fees of approximately 20,269 state indigenes.
According to a statement issued by the governor's Chief Press Secretary, Ibrahim Mohammed, the beneficiaries were those who took the regional exam body's 2023 West African Senior School Certificate Examinations.
"One of the cardinal agendas of Governor Dikko Radda's administration, among several others, is repositioning Katsina State's education sector," Mohammed said on Thursday.
"And, since taking office, His Excellency has demonstrated unwavering commitment to improving Katsina's primary, secondary, and tertiary education systems."
"He gave today's approval for the huge sum of over N364 million to be used in settling the WAEC fees of no fewer than 20,000 Katsina students says it all about His Excellency’s passion for Katsina youths and their educational development.”
Recall that WAEC had, in August, said it would not release the 2023 results of the WASSCE candidates sponsored by state governments indebted to the council.
Speaking at a press briefing, while announcing the release of the 2023 WASSCE, Head of Nigeria Office, Mr. Patrick Areghan, said that Zamfara, Niger, and six states were indebted to the council.
He said, “WAEC has continued to grant credit facilities to some very credit-worthy and reliable States who pay the registration fee of their candidates.
“Unfortunately, some states have been owing large sums of money for years now and have simply refused to pay after the needed services had been rendered by WAEC, thus denying us the needed funds to carry out our activities.
“States sponsoring candidates for the examination must show commitment, willingness, readiness, and ability to pay.”