Reported By Mary Udezue | Edited by: Gabriel Osa
Gusau, Zamfara State — In a decisive move to enhance transparency and accountability in educational assessment processes, Governor Dauda Lawal has **centralised the digitalisation of Senior Secondary Schools Certificate Examinations (SSCE) registration across Zamfara State. The initiative, announced during a meeting with principals and examination officers of senior secondary schools, is aimed at eliminating fraudulent practices and improving the integrity of public examination registrations in the state.
Governor Lawal disclosed that the new policy followed the state’s uncovering of approximately 6,000 “ghost students” registered in both WAEC and NECO examinations — a malpractice that reportedly cost the state an estimated ₦330 million in registration fees.
Under the centralised system, the Zamfara Information Technology Development Agency (ZITDA) will now oversee all SSCE registrations, taking the process out of the hands of individual school principals and examination officers. According to the governor, this structural overhaul will significantly reduce corruption, ensure accurate student records and strengthen accountability in the use of public funds.
Governor Lawal emphasised that the digital platform is designed to capture biometric details of every student from their entry into Junior Secondary School (JSS 1–3) through Senior Secondary School (SS 1–3). This comprehensive system is expected to prevent the inclusion of non‑existent students in public examination registration, thereby safeguarding educational resources and enhancing the credibility of examination outcomes.
“We have clear evidence of these abnormalities with facts and figures,” the governor said, characterising past registration practices as driven by corrupt interests that undermined educational integrity. He warned educational officials against involvement in the registration process going forward, noting that rigorous verification and tracking mechanisms will now be enforced to eliminate malpractice.
The governor also stressed that the state’s investment in the SSCE registration process is intended to support equitable access to education for all eligible students, reduce financial waste, and protect public funds. He reiterated that the digital registration system aligns with broader efforts to enhance governance through digital technology and accountability in state operations.
Education stakeholders have welcomed the announcement, with many noting that the centralised digital registration model could serve as a blueprint for other states grappling with similar examination irregularities. The initiative further underscores Governor Lawal’s ongoing commitment to reforming public sector processes, particularly in the education sector, where systemic challenges have historically impacted student outcomes and public confidence.
As implementation begins, ZITDA is expected to roll out training and support for school officials to ensure a smooth transition to the centralised digital platform. The success of the initiative will be closely watched by educators and policymakers nationwide as a potential model for education sector reform in Nigeria.
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