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The Benue State Government has taken decisive action to address longstanding concerns over functional overlaps between the Ministry of Education and Knowledge Management and the Benue State Quality Assurance and Examination Board, particularly regarding the clearance of candidates for the 2026 West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE).
In a statement issued on January 28, 2026, and signed by the Commissioner for Education and Knowledge Management, Dr. Adamu Margaret Ijaguwa, the government disclosed that Governor Rev. Fr. Dr. Hyacinth Iormem Alia personally intervened in response to complaints from education stakeholders. The stakeholders had warned that duplicated responsibilities between the two bodies risked disrupting the smooth conduct of the upcoming senior secondary examinations.
Following the governor’s directive, the Chief of Staff convened an emergency meeting of key stakeholders in the education sector. The meeting, held successfully on Tuesday, January 27, 2026, featured extensive deliberations on the issues at hand.
At the conclusion of discussions, all parties resolved to establish a dedicated committee tasked with reviewing the law that established the Benue State Quality Assurance and Examination Board. The committee’s primary objective is to harmonize the board’s operations with the provisions of the existing Education Law, thereby eliminating areas of conflict and ensuring clearer delineation of responsibilities.
The government has reassured parents, school proprietors, principals, and the general public that the current clearance process for 2026 WASSCE candidates should continue as usual. Principals are therefore urged to proceed with presenting their candidates to the Ministry of Education and Knowledge Management for necessary approvals while the review process unfolds.
“The Benue State Government is committed to ensuring that the education system operates efficiently and transparently,” the statement emphasized. It further assured that all critical stakeholders would be fully involved as the committee carries out its mandate to streamline operations and strengthen quality assurance mechanisms across the education sector.
The ministry expressed deep appreciation for the cooperation and understanding demonstrated by stakeholders throughout the process. It reiterated the administration’s unwavering resolve to reposition education as a cornerstone of development in Benue State, promising sustained efforts to deliver a more effective, transparent, and inclusive system for students, teachers, and school administrators alike.
This proactive step by the Alia administration is widely seen as a positive move toward reducing bureaucratic bottlenecks and fostering greater harmony in the management of education services in the state.
