The Kano State Government has approved a sum exceeding N3 billion for the sponsorship of eligible students in the 2025 national examinations, including NECO, NABTEB, and NBAIS. This funding is aimed at supporting qualified candidates who have demonstrated academic excellence, in line with the state’s broader push to strengthen the education sector.
This announcement was made in Kano by the State Commissioner for Education, Alhaji Ali Haruna, during the unveiling of the 2024 Senior Secondary Qualifying Examination results. Haruna reaffirmed the government’s dedication to widening access to quality education and easing financial pressures on families across the state.
The initiative is a key component of Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf’s education reform programme. The governor has previously declared a state of emergency in the education sector and allocated a substantial 31.5% of the 2024 state budget to drive improvements in this area.
In the 2024 qualifying examination, a total of 141,715 students from public schools managed by the Kano Educational Resource Department (KERD), the Science and Technical Schools Board (STSB), and the Agency for Integrated Education Development (AIED) participated. Over 75% of these candidates have met the criteria for state sponsorship.
“In 2023, a total of 125,000 candidates were sponsored by the state government. This year, His Excellency, Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf, has graciously approved the sponsorship of all indigent state candidates who scored a minimum of five credits in the 2024 Senior Secondary Qualifying Examination,” Haruna said.
He confirmed that beneficiaries will have their registration fees fully paid for the upcoming NECO, NABTEB, NBAIS, and SSCE national examinations.
“This is a timely and bold initiative by the Kano State Government to promote academic excellence, increase access to education, and ease the financial burden on vulnerable families,” Haruna added.
He further instructed school principals to ensure that all qualified candidates are included in the scheme without any discrimination or delays. “They must access their rights unconditionally and with full transparency,” he emphasised.
Details regarding the registration process will be shared shortly through the relevant educational bodies—KERD, STSB, and AIED.
“It is not just about exams, it’s about shaping the future of Kano through an educated and empowered generation,” Haruna concluded.
