Fresh facts have emerged that Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu approved the disbursement of over N4.2 billion for the payment of West African Senior School Certificate Examination fees, organised by West Africa Examination Council (WAEC) of all public schools in the last five years of the administration in the state.
The commissioner for basic education and secondary education, Mr Tolani Alli-Balogun, disclosed thisyesterday during the ministerial briefing on the first year anniversary of the second term of Governor Sanwo-Olu’s administration, held at Alausa, Ikeja, Lagos.
Alli-Balogun said the Sanwo-Olu’s administration had never defaulted in the payment of WAEC’ fees since inception.
He said, “The administration of Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu has never defaulted on the payment of WAEC fees of all public school SS3 students in the four years of Governor Sanwo-Olu’s first term in office.
“The state government paid over N4.2 billion between 2020 and 2023 to keep our promise of full payment of West African Senior School Certificate Examination fees.
“In the current school year (2024), the governor has approved the sum of N1,571,076,000 as registration fees and other costs for 58, 188 SS3 students writing the West Africa School Certificate Examination.
“In 2020, the number of candidates as beneficiaries were 45,446, with a total sum of N636,033,700, paid.
“In 2021, the number of candidates were 51,187, with a total sum of N717, 210, 650, paid.
“Also, in 2022, the number of candidates were, 56, 256, with total amount of N1, 016, 380, 800, paid, while in 2023, total number of candidates were 57, 312, with total sum of N1, 035, 893, 200.
“And in 2024, the number of candidates to benefit are 58, 188, while the sum of N1,571, 076,000, paid,.”
The commissioner also revealed that a total of 1,340 teachers were recruited within the period under review, 2023 till date.
“In the last one year, 2024, over one thousand (1000) Newly Recruited Teachers were inducted into the teaching profession for effective teaching/learning delivery to date by Teaching Service Commission, TESCOM.”
