Cross River Gov’t Spent N1.18bn On WAEC Fees For Indigent Students In 3 Years

The Cross River State government has spent about N1,179,828,000 on WAEC registration fees for indigent students since the Governor Bassey Otu administration took office three years ago.

The state commissioner for Education, Prof. Stephen Odey, disclosed this yesterday during an interactive session with journalists in Calabar.

Giving details, Odey said, “In 2024, we registered 16,301 students, in 2025, we registered 14,804 students, and in 2026, we registered 12,589 students, totalling 43,694 students altogether for the three years, costing N1,179,828,000.”

On NECO performance, Odey averred that the State’s showing in the 2024 examination was “quite impressive”.

He added, “Based on statistics released by NECO, Cross River State had 76.05% of students with 5 credits and above, including English and Mathematics and was placed 4th position among the 12 top states in the federation.”

To boost learning at the basic level, the commissioner said Governor Bassey Otu approved “N4,112,608,381.00 for printing and distribution of 209,530 textbooks and 23,504 teachers’ guides” under the World Bank-assisted HOPE Programme.

The materials cover numeracy and literacy for teachers and pupils from primary 1-6 across all public schools.

Odey maintained that “209,530 textbooks and 23,504 Teacher’s Guide have been distributed using the Trace and Track digital platform” to ensure accountability in delivery.

Other updates he gave included the digitalization of Ministry of Education operations, hosting of the 2024 National Joint Consultative Committee on Education meeting in Calabar, establishment of the University of Education and Entrepreneurship in Akamkpa, increased subvention for UNICROSS, enactment of the Senior Secondary Education Board Law 2026, approval of a new Federal Technical College in Akansoko, Akpabuyo, and focus on staff welfare, manpower development, quality assurance and standards