Kogi State Government has started refunding N276,769,400 West African Examinations Council (WAEC) fees to 24,172 parents across the North-Central state.
The exercise, which started on Thursday with the issuance of cheque leaves to concerned students of St. Augustine Grammar School, Kabba, was in line with an earlier promise of the state government to refund the fees.
Prof. Mathew Ajibero, Chairman of Verification and Reconciliation Committee set up by the state government, said the refund was for students who sat for 2014/2015 WAEC examinations.
He said the committee was able to establish that only 24,172 sat for that the examinations in the state, adding that each of them will receive N11,500 being the amount paid by their parents as WAEC fee.
He said the committee, through the verification, was able to save over N200 million from N515 million initially brought forward for payment.
Governor Idris Wada had, while suspending the payment of WAEC fees early this year, said some dubious and corrupt officials hijacked the gesture to enrich themselves.
Wada said specifically that the officials inflated the amount from N270 million in 2012 when he assumed office to over N500 million in 2015.
Ajibero said the committee, in the course of its assignment, engaged officials of the Ministry of Education and Teaching Service Commission for adequate fact finding.
Other members of the committee are Hajia Ladi Ibrahim and Mr Ibrahim Odoma.
Speaking on behalf of the benefitting students, Master Ayo Michael described the development as a surprise, and commended Wada for being a man of his words.
“Wada has proven to the younger generations that he is truly a leader that keeps promise and lead with the fear of God’’, he said.
