Niger State has paid N120 million of the N500 million it owed the National Examination Council (NECO) as examination fees for its Senior Secondary School Certificate Examination (SSCE) candidates.

Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Binta Mamman, said in Minna, yesterday: “We inherited N500 million from the previous administration as SSCE fees. Governor Umaru Bago approved monthly payment of N30 million to NECO to offset the debt. We have paid N120 million since May 29 when this government assumed office.”

She listed priority areas of the state government as education, security, science and technology, agriculture, commerce, tourism, civil service, health, infrastructure and urban renewal.

Mamman also listed local council administration, traditional institution, revenue generation and women and youth development as other priority areas.