Ekiti State Gov’t Sponsors 3,400 Students for 2026 JAMB, Offsets ₦600m WAEC Fees

In a significant boost to the education sector, the Ekiti State Government has announced the sponsorship of 3,400 students for the 2026 JAMB Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME). This latest intervention brings the total number of beneficiaries of the state’s free JAMB program to over 12,000 since Governor Biodun Oyebanji took office in October 2022.

The state government also confirmed the payment of ₦600 million for the WAEC fees of students in public secondary schools, ensuring that financial constraints do not hinder the academic progress of Ekiti youth.

The initiative is part of a broader strategy by the Oyebanji administration to reduce the financial burden on parents and encourage a smooth transition from secondary to tertiary education. 

Key highlights of the intervention include:

Massive Reach: Over 12,000 UTME forms distributed across the state’s 16 local government areas in less than four years.

WAEC Support: ₦600 million allocated to cover West African Examination Council fees for the current academic session.

Merit-Based Selection: Focus on ensuring that brilliant but indigent students have equal access to national examinations.

Speaking on the development, officials noted that the Governor’s "Human Capital Development" pillar remains a top priority. By clearing these examination costs, the administration aims to improve the state's ranking in national examinations and increase the enrollment rate of Ekiti indigenes in universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education.

The state government has urged the beneficiaries to reciprocate this gesture by dedicating themselves to their studies and striving for academic excellence in the upcoming examinations.