The Taraba State Government has authorised the disbursement of over N1.3bn to facilitate the registration of 39,536 students for the 2026 West African Senior School Certificate Examination.

During a cheque presentation at the WAEC office and Government Comprehensive Secondary School, Jalingo, the Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, Dr Augustina Godwin, provided a financial breakdown. She stated that "the sum of N1,390,209,350 was earmarked for WAEC related expenses, covering registration, Continuous Assessment Scores (CASS), administrative charges, practicals, monitoring, sensitisation, remuneration, school albums, registration PINs and other logistics."

Dr Godwin further noted that "the payment also includes accreditation fees for schools under WAEC, feeding arrangements for boarding students and transportation logistics for participants in the students’ exchange programme." She disclosed that "N148.6 million was approved for the feeding of students at GCSS Jalingo and Government Day Secondary School (MGDSS) Wukari on a termly basis."

Additionally, "the N52.75 million and N42.52 million were allocated for the transportation of indigenous and non indigenous students, respectively, participating in the exchange programme across the 19 northern states." She also mentioned an extra N243.8 million approved for general school feeding.

The state WAEC Controller, Mr Ogundele Agunbiade, praised the government for its sustained support. The permanent secretary urged students to justify the investment by excelling in their examinations.