The Niger State government has planned to offer free transportation to students attending public schools in the state.
This initiative, coming on the heels of petrol subsidy removal by the Federal Government, is aimed at increasing enrolment rates among children and mitigate impact of the fuel subsidy removal.
During a meeting with officials from the National Examination Council (NECO), Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago expressed this intention at the Government House in Minna, with Prof. Ibrahim Wushishi, the Registrar and Chief Executive Officer of NECO, leading the delegation.
According to a statement from the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Bologi Ibrahim, Governor Bago emphasized that providing free transportation to children in basic education would encourage school attendance and alleviate the effects of subsidy removal.
He also emphasised the importance of collaboration between the state and NECO to address issues such as out-of-school children and girls education.
The governor further emphasized the potential of ICT in the education sector for its development.
Governor Bago suggested that NECO should support vocational training within the education curriculum to equip students with self-reliance skills, just as he called on NECO to contribute more through corporate social responsibilities (CSRs) in the state.
The Governor expressed his administration’s commitment to supporting NECO while urging the organization to sponsor educational activities like essay writing and provide teaching mentorship resources to classrooms.
Addressing the fluctuating turnout and performance of students registered for Senior Secondary School Examinations, the governor instructed the Secretary to the State Government to investigate the underlying causes.
Governor Bago revealed that he had approved a monthly allocation of N30 million to settle the outstanding debt owed NECO, adding that he also offered to assist NECO in recovering debts from other states in the federation.
Earlier, Prof. Dantani Ibrahim Wushishi, the Registrar and CEO of NECO, visited the governor to congratulate him on his electoral victory and successful inauguration as governor of Niger State.
Prof. Wushishi emphasized the importance of collaboration between NECO and the state government and its potential for mutual benefits.
The NECO boss urged the state government to make NECO examinations compulsory for all public schools in the state.
He assured the governor of NECO’s readiness to partner with the state and enhance education in accordance with its core values.
The NECO chief executive explained that Niger State had experienced fluctuations in registration numbers for Senior Secondary School Examinations between 2018 and 2022.
