Education

WAEC: Any Fee Above N15,000 Is Outrageous –Perm Sec

Published

10 years ago

February 15, 2016

Acting Provost, Rivers State College of Arts and Science (RIVCAS), Dr Samuel B. Kalagbor (middle), Registrar of the college, Georgenia Benwoke (right) and Acting Head, Library, Mrs Eisemen Lulu-Pokubo, at the 25th matriclation ceremony of new students in Port Harcourt on Thursday

Amidst cries of hike
in fees for registration for the 2016 West African Examinations Council (WAEC) examination, the Permanent Secretary of the Rivers State Ministry of Education, Dr Patricia Ogbonaya says any increase in the fee above N15,000 is illegal.
In an exclusive interview with The Tide in her office, the Permanent Secretary stated categorically that the exact amount required to register for WAEC is about N11,000.
“The actual amount is about N11,000 and something, but put it at N15,000 to take care of administrative costs and everything, which include monitoring of examinations.
“This amount includes the amount added by the Ministry of Education. On top of the WAEC fee, we do not have more than N3,000,” she explained.
Confirming the approved WAEC fee, the Zonal Co-ordinator of WAEC in Rivers State, Mr Humphrey Ubaka said the official amount required for registration is N11,795.00.
While also confirming complaints of a hike in WAEC fee by principals, Mr Ubaka hinted that having announced the actual amount, it is left for parents to be guided by it.
“Any candidate that is paying outside what is supposed to be paid knows why he/she is paying such amount . The school must have assured them that they are going to write for them,” he said.
The Tide’s investigations revealed that some principals charged as much as N20,000, for the WAEC fee and N5,000, for what they claim was added by the Ministry of Education .
Further investigations revealed that while most parents/guardians complained about hike in the WAEC fee, none of them had been able to provide evidence of such hike because receipts were not given them to reflect the increase by the principals or school authorities involved in the increase.
Meanwhile, the Acting Provost of Rivers State College of Arts and Science (RIVCAS), Dr Samuel B. Kalagbor has refuted claims that the institution’s Niger Delta Science School (NDSS) Charges as high as N100,000 as WAEC fee.
That is untrue, malicious, and mendacious. When people have information, it is important that you go to the appropriate authority to find out it is unthinkable that an institution will charge over N100,000 as WAEC fee,” he said.
Dr Kalagbor explained that “what actually happened was that because of the experiences of the past, for Senior Secondary School (SSS) III, we make them pay all three term fees in addition to the WAEC fees, which amounted to N148,800.”
A breakdown of this amount, shows that each of the three term fees is N38,600, while the WAEC or NECO fee is N33,000.

Stories by Sogbeba Dokubo

Education

Chief Judge Pledges inmate’s academic Sponsorship

Published

2 days ago

March 9, 2026

The Tide

The Chief Judge of Niger State, Justice Halima Ibrahim Abdulmalik, has taken full responsibility for the education of a teenage inmate, Gabriel Sillas, currently serving a jail term at the Minna Correctional Centre, pledging to sponsor him up to university level.

She made the gesture during her annual working visit to correctional facilities across the state, aimed at decongesting custodial centres and reviewing inmates’ cases.

Sillas, who was described by officials as one of the most obedient inmates at the facility, reportedly earned the sympathy of the Chief Judge

Justice Abdulmalik, visibly moved by the teenager’s disposition during her visit to the Minna Children’s Remand Home, described his situation as a product of avoidable circumstances and lack of adequate parental support.

“The circumstances that brought him here could have been avoided if he had good support from his mother. I can see talent in him. With proper support, he will be useful to society. I cannot allow him to waste his life at this age,”she said.

She therefore announced that she would personally sponsor his education from now through university, stressing that the young inmate deserves a second chance to harness his potential.

“I will sponsor his education up to university level. He needs support to put his talent to proper use,” she added emotionally, reaffirming her commitment to ensuring he builds a better future.

Sillas was sentenced to three years imprisonment alongside Isah Tanimu for criminal trespass, mischief and theft, offences that contravene Sections 228, 327 and 348 of the Penal Code Law.

In a further act of clemency, Justice Abdulmalik granted pardon to Isah Tanimu and pledged to assist with part of the fine options attached to their conviction.

Beyond individual interventions, the Chief Judge also donated ?500,000 to the Suleja Medium Security Custodial Centre to support the upgrade of its skills acquisition centre, reinforcing her commitment to rehabilitation and reintegration of inmates.

Her visit underscored the judiciary’s growing emphasis on correctional reform, rehabilitation and the belief that, with timely support, even those who stumble can still rise to become productive members of society.

Education

Federal University Dutse Expels 20 Students, Rusticates 15 Over Exam Malpractice

Published

2 days ago

March 9, 2026

The Tide

The Senate of Federal University Dutse in Jigawa State has approved the expulsion of 20 students and the rustication of 15 others for their involvement in examination malpractice.

The decision was announced in a statement issued on Wednesday by Abdullahi Yahaya-Bello, the university’s director of public affairs. According to him, the disciplinary action followed the recommendations of the senate committee on examination misconduct for the second semester of the 2024/2025 academic session.

Yahaya-Bello explained that the senate also cleared two students of wrongdoing after investigations, while three others were issued written warnings.

He noted that the penalties were imposed in line with the university’s regulations governing offences and punishments for both undergraduate and postgraduate students. Those affected, he added, were drawn from different faculties and departments within the institution.

The development comes amid a wave of disciplinary actions across Nigerian universities over academic misconduct.

In February, the University of Abuja expelled 28 students for various offences, including alleged examination malpractice, cultism, and falsification of academic results. The decision followed the consideration of a report by the university’s student disciplinary committee during a senate meeting.

Similarly, the University of Calabar recently suspended nine students over allegations of examination malpractice and result forgery after deliberations at its 252nd senate meeting.

University authorities across the country have continued to warn that strict disciplinary measures will be enforced against students found guilty of academic misconduct in order to maintain the integrity of the educational system.

Education

FG Needs Assessment Committee Visits Bonny Poly

Published

2 days ago

March 9, 2026

The Tide

A high-powered assessment committee from the Federal Ministry of Education Abuja on Wednesday visited the Federal Polytechnic of Oil and Gas, Bonny in Bonny local government area of Rivers state, as part of a needs assessment for 2026 exercise to the institution

The team, led by Prince Dr. Murtab Aliyu S.,a Director with the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE), include Mr. Mohammed Yusha’u, Mr. Lawani F. Jimoh of ASUP, and June, Patience G. from the Ministry.

The visit is aimed to identify gaps between the institution’s current and desired states, guiding strategic decisions and resource allocation.

According to a statement by

Reported by Anthony Ogbe , SAR/Public Relations Officer of the polytechnics and made available to tide said

the committee’s findings will inform targeted interventions and support from the Federal Government to enhance the polytechnic’s infrastructure, academic programs, and overall development.

“The institution is known for academic excellence and collaborative engagements, making it a sought-after partner for development initiatives. The polytechnic has been making strides in oil and gas education, producing graduates who are highly sought after by industries.”

The needs assessment committee’s visit is expected to further boost the institution’s growth and development.

The statement also quoted as saying that the team later interacted with various stakeholders, including staff and students, to get firsthand information on the institution’s needs.

The committee expressed satisfaction with the polytechnic’s progress and assured the Management of the Federal Government’s support and commended Dr. Okolobah’s leadership and the institution’s commitment to academic excellence

The visit underscores the polytechnic’s commitment to growth and development. The institution is poised to leverage this opportunity to address its needs and further enhance its academic programs.

The statement averred that the Management of the Federal Polytechnic of Oil and Gas, Bonny, led by Dr. Victor Okolobah, received the committee and briefed them on the institution’s strengths, challenges, and stakeholder needs.

He further stated that Dr. Okolobah’s leadership has fostered strong relationships with key agencies, benefiting the polytechnic , adding that

the institution is known for academic excellence and collaborative engagements, making it a sought-after partner for development initiatives.

“The polytechnic has been making strides in oil and gas education, producing graduates who are highly sought after by industries.”

“The Federal Polytechnic of Oil and Gas, Bonny, has been making waves in academic circles, and this visit is expected to further boost its reputation. With purposeful leadership and strategic partnerships, the institution is set to achieve greater heights.

“

“The institution’s success is attributed to its strong leadership, dedicated staff, and commitment to academic excellence. As it continues to grow and develop, the polytechnic remains committed to producing skilled graduates who can contribute to Nigeria’s development.”

By: Akujobi Amadi