The Kogi State government has warned that principals and head teachers of public schools collecting fees from students will face sanctions.
Commissioner for Education, Wemi Jones, issued the warning on Friday in Lokoja following reports of illegal fee collection. He reaffirmed that education remains free in Kogi’s public primary and secondary schools under the Kogi State Education Law 2024, which also covers examination registration.
The state government has already spent N1.2 billion on external and internal exam fees for the 2024/2025 session. Governor Ododo has declared a state of emergency in education, emphasizing that financial barriers should not hinder any child’s access to quality learning.
Jones urged parents and students to report cases of fee collection to authorities. In October 2024, the government released N661.3 million for WAEC fees, and just last Tuesday, Governor Ododo approved N542 million for UTME, Common Entrance, and BECE fees for public school students.
Authorities have vowed to crack down on school administrators violating these directives to ensure transparency and accountability in the education system.
