The Taraba State Government under the leadership of His Excellency Dr Agbu Kefas has paid a total sum of over N1.8 billion for the registration of candidates for the 2026 external examinations across the state.

Speaking during the symbolic presentation of cheques at the NECO Office in Jalingo, the Commissioner for Secondary, Technical and Vocational Education, Dr Augustina Godwin, said the gesture demonstrates Governor Kefas’ unwavering commitment towards improving access to quality education and reducing the financial burden on parents and guardians.

Dr Augustina disclosed that the state government paid the sum of N1,613,646,250 for the registration of 44,133 candidates for the 2026 National Examinations Council (NECO) examinations. She further revealed that the government also approved and released N53,865,000 for the registration of 1,570 candidates for the 2026 National Business and Technical Examinations Board (NABTEB) examinations.

According to her, Governor Kefas also released N196,822,190 for the registration of 38,956 candidates for the 2026 Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) across the state.

The Commissioner, who presented the cheques on behalf of the Governor at the NECO Office in Jalingo, noted that the administration remains focused on revitalizing the education sector through deliberate investments in examination sponsorship, infrastructure development, teachers’ capacity building and improved learning environment.

She urged students, teachers and school administrators to reciprocate the government’s efforts by ensuring discipline, dedication and zero involvement in examination malpractice.

Dr Augustina commended Governor Kefas for prioritizing the future of Taraba children through prompt payment of examination fees, stressing that the initiative has continued to increase enrollment and retention of students in schools across the state.

The Taraba Comptrollers of NECO and NABTEB lauded and appreciated the Governor for the giant strides adding that the free registrations increases the candidates participations in the respective exams against the previous years’ performance.

Present at the event were the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Alh Idris A. Goje,
Directors from the Ministry, as well as Executive Secretaries of Boards and Parastatals under the ministry.