Kwara Governor Approves Free Common Entrance Examination Across the State

Kwara State Governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, has approved the full sponsorship of the 2026 Common Entrance Placement Examination for pupils seeking admission into Junior Secondary Schools across the state.

Under the arrangement, no registered pupil is required to pay any fee to sit for the examination, as the state government has assumed full responsibility for the cost of the exercise. The examination, however, took place on 1st August 2026, at accredited centres across all 16 Local Government Areas of Kwara State.

The Commissioner for Education and Human Capital Development, Dr Lawal Olohungbebe, announced the government’s decision in Ilorin, explaining that Governor AbdulRazaq approved the sponsorship as part of efforts to widen access to quality basic education in the state.

According to the Commissioner, the initiative aims to remove financial barriers that could prevent eligible pupils from participating in the placement exercise and to give children across the state an equal opportunity to continue their education.

Olohungbebe warned headteachers, principals and officials involved in the examination against demanding or collecting unauthorised fees from pupils or their parents.

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He said any official found violating the directive would face disciplinary action in line with the relevant laws and regulations governing the conduct of the examination.

The Commissioner also urged candidates, school authorities and examination officials to avoid all forms of examination malpractice, stressing that the government expects the placement exercise to be conducted transparently and on merit.

He expressed appreciation to the governor for approving the full sponsorship of the examination, describing the decision as a demonstration of the administration’s commitment to making quality education accessible to children irrespective of their financial circumstances.

“We appreciate Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq for approving the full sponsorship of the Common Entrance Placement Examination. This demonstrates his administration’s resolve to remove financial barriers and ensure that every Kwara child has equal opportunity to access quality education,” Olohungbebe said.

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The Ministry of Education and Human Capital Development further called on parents, guardians and other stakeholders to support eligible pupils by ensuring they are properly registered and adequately prepared for the examination.

The government reiterated its commitment to providing a credible, transparent and merit-based placement process for pupils seeking admission into Junior Secondary Schools across Kwara State.