By Akanji Alowolodu, Bauchi
The sum of N185.5million has been approved by Bauchi State Government for the payment of the Unified Tertiary and Matriculation Examination (UTME) and National Examination Council (NECO) registration fees for a total of 3,810 students who scored A and B grades in the recently concluded SSCE Aptitude Test in the State.
The information was contained in a statement signed by the Commissioner of Education, Dr Aliyu Tilde stating that the approvals were for payment of NABTEB exams fees for all the 1,751 in SS3 Students of all Government Technical Colleges along with all the 499 students sitting for NBAIS exams from Government Arabic Colleges.
Aliyu Tilde also stated that “as usual, NECO registration fees for 11,580 successful candidates who scored A, B and C in the Aptitude Test will also be paid” .
He further stated that, “The total cost of these sponsorships is N185,580,550.00. As at today, the state government does not owe any of the three national examination bodies a kobo. The Governor has approved the clearing of the new amount by August ending.”
He added that the payment of JAMB/UTME registration fees to Aptitude Test candidates was novel in the state. However, eligible students must hasten to obtain their NIN before the money will be paid to the bank from which the forms will be purchased.
According to him, arrangements were underway to see the immediate registration of students in their nearest local government headquarters assuring that, “The Ministry, right now—cash in hand—is ready to pay for any eligible student who has a NIN. Show us your NIN and get your form” .
According to him, “The list of A and B grade students eligible for the UTME sponsorship will be released to schools through their emails tomorrow. At the same time it will also be published on Principals’ WhatsApp platform, God willing” .
The Commissioner added that, “The payment of UTME registration fees, I must hasten to say, will not be a mandatory policy on government” .
He however stated that, “Rather, it will be enjoyed by meritorious students any year the government is pleased to do so within the confines of its revenue. In other words, it is a palliative—or say, incentive—that will be given whenever feasible.”
