The Lagos State Government has reaffirmed its commitment to educational development by funding the 2024 West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) fees for 58,188 students, at a total cost of N1.577 billion.
The announcement was made by the Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, Mr Jamie Tolani Alli-Balogun, during the 2025 ministerial press briefing held on Thursday to mark the second year of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s second term in office.
To ensure transparency and accountability in the sponsorship process, the ministry conducted a biometric capture and image registration for all eligible Senior Secondary III students. The exercise identified 56,134 bona fide students qualified for government sponsorship.
“Suffice to say that the sum of N1.577 billion only was paid by the State Government as examination fees for 58,188 students who were captured for year 2024 WASSCE,” Alli-Balogun stated.
Beyond exam sponsorship, the state is pushing innovation through education. The Commissioner also highlighted the launch of the Innovate Eko STEAM Programme, which aims to foster students’ interest in Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics (STEAM).
Unveiled on November 8, 2024, during National STEAM Day, the programme is designed to equip students with future-ready skills, promoting self-employment and innovation. This initiative is seen as a strategic move to prepare young Lagosians for both local and global challenges.
“It is a crucial step in transforming Lagos into a productive, innovation-driven economy,” Alli-Balogun emphasized.
