WAEC, NECO release Zamfara students’ results withheld for five years

After years of uncertainty, thousands of Zamfara State students can now access their long-awaited SSCE results as Governor Dauda Lawal settles outstanding debts owed to WAEC and NECO by past administrations.

The West African Examinations Council (WAEC) and National Examinations Council (NECO) have now released results that were withheld for periods ranging from 2014 to 2022 due to nonpayment of exam fees.

In a statement on Saturday, Governor Lawal’s spokesperson, Sulaiman Bala Idris, confirmed that the debts—totaling over ₦2.7 billion—have been fully or partially paid, unlocking access to results for thousands of affected candidates.

“This is part of the government’s emergency measures to revive education in Zamfara,” the statement said, highlighting the payment of ₦1.4 billion to WAEC and over ₦320 million to NECO, alongside a structured plan to clear additional arrears dating as far back as 2014.

The move comes after Zamfara State declared a state of emergency in the education sector in November 2023. Since then, the government has renovated over 500 schools and launched teacher retraining initiatives.

Governor Lawal’s intervention also means that public school students in the state participated in the 2024 WAEC after missing the 2023 edition due to unpaid fees.

NECO has confirmed receipt of part-payment and agreed to release withheld results from 2014 to 2018, pending full settlement.

WAEC, NECO release Zamfara students’ results withheld for five years