Obi Pays NECO Exam Fees for 148 Inmates at Anambra Correctional Facilities

By Praise Chinecherem

Anambra State Coordinator of the National Examinations Council (NECO), Mrs. Emilia Njoku, expressed surprise at the unannounced visit of Mr. Peter Obi to the NECO State Office in Awka on Friday.

Njoku said staff were initially curious when a convoy of vehicles arrived, only to discover that Obi, uninvited and without prior notice, had come to present a cheque covering NECO examination fees for 148 inmates in correctional centres across Anambra State.

Addressing staff, Obi explained that representatives of inmates from the Awka, Onitsha, Nnewi, and Aguata (Ekwulobia) correctional centres had earlier visited him in Onitsha to share their plight.

Although NECO had approved their participation in the examinations, a letter of undertaking from a guarantor was required to enable payment of the fees.

Obi disclosed that he immediately provided the letter guaranteeing payment.

He added that after he shared the intervention on social media, the Nigerian Friendship Association, USA, through their non-profit foundation, the Friendship Association Education Assistance, Inc., reached out to him and expressed their desire to assist.

He said he was deeply inspired by their generosity, noting that collective goodwill can restore dignity and open doors to opportunity—not only for this year but also for future candidates.

On the purpose of the visit, Obi said: “It was to formally present the cheque.” The total payment, including fees and logistics, amounted to ₦4,741,400.

Mrs. Njoku noted that previous appeals to several individuals and organizations had been unsuccessful, and she was surprised that Obi voluntarily wrote the undertaking and settled the full amount.

Prof Chinyere Okunna, who accompanied Obi, described the act as noble and deserving of the highest commendation.

A total of 148 inmates benefited from the intervention: 50 from Awka, 36 from Onitsha, 25 from Nnewi, and 37 from Aguata.

Obi said he was deeply moved by the appeal and stressed that education remains a critical tool for rehabilitation and reintegration.

Drawing from his recent visit to California State University, Sacramento, where he observed rehabilitation-focused programmes for disadvantaged and formerly incarcerated persons, he reiterated that correctional centres should function as true centres of reform, with education at the core of their mission.