The Lagos State Government has disbursed N1.5 billion to cover the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) fees for 58,188 eligible public school students between 2024 and 2025.
This was revealed by the Commissioner for Basic, Primary, and Secondary Education, Mr. Jamiu Tolani Alli-Balogun, during the 2025 ministerial briefing held at the Bagauda Kaltho Press Centre in Alausa, Ikeja. The payment, he said, reflects Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s continued commitment to removing financial barriers to education through the state’s free education policy.
In addition to the funding, the commissioner announced the establishment of 17 new public schools across the state within the past year. These include two primary schools, 10 junior secondary schools, and five senior secondary schools.
Alli-Balogun also noted that 17,575 students were successfully transferred from both public and private institutions into Junior Secondary School II (JSS II) and Senior Secondary School I (SS I), as part of ongoing efforts to streamline student placement and ensure continuity in the education system.
To ensure accuracy and prevent misuse of government funds for the upcoming 2025 WASSCE, a biometric and image registration exercise was conducted for 56,134 SS3 students. This exercise helped verify the actual number of students eligible for state sponsorship.
Encouraging students to maximize the opportunity, the commissioner emphasized that education remains a lifelong journey and urged learners—especially those in boarding schools—to take full advantage of the state’s support.
