In a bid to streamline examination fee payments and curb fraudulent activities, the Sokoto State government has commenced the issuance of identity cards to its students. This move aims to distinguish them from external candidates and ensure accurate records of public school students, particularly those sitting for the SSCE exams, according to government officials.

The decision was reached during the state Executive Council meeting chaired by Governor Ahmed Aliyu Sokoto. Tukur Arkali, the state commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, disclosed this initiative, highlighting the significant financial burden faced by the government due to the enrollment of external candidates by some school principals and examination officers.

Last year, the state government spent a staggering N1 billion on NECO and WAEC examinations for its students, with an anticipated expenditure of N1.9 billion this year due to an expected increase in candidate numbers and registration fees. The issuance of student identity cards aims to mitigate such financial strains and ensure that government resources are allocated effectively for the benefit of students.