In a significant move to revitalize the education sector in Zamfara State, Governor Dauda Lawal has taken bold steps to settle outstanding debts owed to examination bodies by previous administrations. This action has led to the release of withheld results by the West African Examination Council (WAEC) and the National Examination Council (NECO) for students who completed their final exams between 2018 and 2022.
The previous governments in Zamfara State had failed to pay fees to WAEC from 2018 to 2022 and NECO from 2014 to 2018, resulting in a significant setback for public schools and placing the state at the bottom of educational indices in Nigeria. However, Governor Lawal’s commitment to overhauling the education sector has brought about a positive change. As part of his broader strategy, he declared a state of emergency in education in November 2023, which has yielded positive results.
According to a statement by the Governor’s spokesman, Sulaiman Bala Idris, more than 500 schools have been renovated and equipped since the emergency declaration. Public teachers have also been trained and are undergoing retraining, demonstrating the government’s dedication to improving the quality of education. The payment of outstanding debts to WAEC and NECO has relieved stranded students who were unable to proceed with their education due to withheld results.
Governor Lawal has paid a substantial amount of one billion four hundred million naira to WAEC to settle the debt owed from 2018 to 2022. Although the immediate past government failed to pay for the 2023 WAEC, resulting in no public school participation, the current government has made payment for 2024, enabling students to take the exams. Additionally, the Governor has paid N320, 699, 850.00 to NECO to settle a debt owed from 2020 to 2021.
The previous administrations’ failure to pay NECO from 2014 to 2018 had resulted in the withholding of results for students who sat during that period. However, Governor Lawal has approved the payment of these withheld results, and an agreement has been reached with NECO to release them upon receiving the first batch of payment. This development is a significant step towards providing relief to affected students and restoring their educational prospects.
The settlement of these outstanding debts and the release of withheld results demonstrate Governor Lawal’s commitment to education and his efforts to transform the sector in Zamfara State. As the state continues to move forward, it is likely that these positive developments will have a lasting impact on the education system, ultimately benefiting the students and the community as a whole.
