Gusau, Zamfara State — In a major push to revive the state’s education sector, Governor Dauda Lawal has cleared longstanding debts owed to national examination bodies, paving the way for the release of previously withheld results of students in public secondary schools.
The announcement, made through a statement by the governor’s media aide Sulaiman Bala Idris, disclosed that over ₦2.7 billion was paid to settle debts accumulated over several years by previous administrations. This includes ₦1.4 billion to WAEC for arrears spanning 2018 to 2022, ₦320.7 million to NECO for 2020–2021, and a further ₦1.022 billion to clear older obligations from 2014 to 2018.
The statement revealed that mismanagement under the immediate past administration led to public school students missing out entirely on the 2023 WAEC exams. In contrast, the current government has fully funded the 2024 WAEC fees, ensuring that students are now able to participate without financial barriers.
“This intervention has resulted in the immediate release of all previously held WAEC and NECO results, ending years of uncertainty for thousands of students,” the statement confirmed.
The debt clearance is part of a larger overhaul of the education system in Zamfara, following Governor Lawal’s declaration of a state of emergency on education in November 2023.
Describing the backlog as a “painful burden” on students and the education system, the governor reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to reform.
“We are taking decisive steps to restore dignity, confidence, and opportunity to our youth. Education remains the bedrock of Zamfara’s future,” the statement added.
By Taiwo Olatinwo | May 25, 2025
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