Zamfara State Governor, Dauda Lawal, has centralized the registration of Senior Secondary Schools Certificate Examinations (SSCE) to digital platforms, aiming to curb corruption and improve the declining standard of education in the state.
Governor Lawal announced the measure during a meeting with all secondary school principals and examination officers, emphasizing the need for integrity and accountability in educational administration.
“Everything we do is based on facts. This year alone, billions of naira were spent on WAEC and NECO registration, yet a significant portion was mismanaged, often with insider aid. We will present the results of our forensic investigations,” Lawal said.
The governor criticized principals and examination officers for corrupt practices in the registration process, warning that any form of diversion of funds or educational materials would not be tolerated.
“There is a serious cartel in your schools regarding NECO and WAEC registration, and you are the source of the problem. I am meeting you one-on-one to ensure this is redressed before taking decisive actions,” he stated.
Lawal highlighted ongoing efforts to improve the education sector, including school renovations, provision of furnishings, scholarships, and solarization projects to ensure consistent power supply for educational activities.
To prevent further malpractice, the governor assigned the Executive Secretary of the Zamfara Information Technology Development Agency (ZITDA), Habib Gajam, to oversee the SSCE registration process. A digitalized system will record each student’s enrollment from Junior Secondary School 1 through Senior Secondary School 3, with biometrics and mandatory verification to prevent ghost entries and unauthorized school transfers.
“Transparency and accountability are paramount. Public funds are a trust, and we must protect them while ensuring every child, especially the vulnerable, has access to quality education,” Lawal emphasized.
The governor also announced a ban on SS3 transfer students under the new federal policy and vowed strict enforcement of the digital registration system.