Zamfara State Governor Dauda Lawal has disclosed that students in the state were unable to participate in West African Examinations Council (WAEC) and National Examinations Council (NECO) examinations for two consecutive years due to accumulated debts totaling ₦3.2 billion.

Speaking during an interview on Channels Television's 'Politics Today' program on Wednesday, Governor Lawal described the dire educational and financial situation his administration inherited upon taking office in May 2023.

"Things were bad when we took over. For two good years, our students couldn't write WAEC or NECO because of debts. We had to clear ₦3.2 billion in outstanding payments. Today, all pending certificates from previous years have been released," the governor stated.

Lawal further revealed that his administration has declared a state of emergency in the education sector and has rehabilitated over 450 primary and secondary schools across the state since assuming office.

The governor also addressed other financial challenges his administration faced, including ₦13.6 billion in unpaid pension liabilities dating back to 2011. According to him, these pension arrears and gratuities have now been cleared without resorting to borrowing, relying instead on internally generated revenue (IGR).

The revelation highlights the severe educational challenges faced by students in Zamfara State, where examination participation was compromised due to financial constraints. The inability to write these crucial national examinations would have significantly impacted students' academic progression and future prospects.

Governor Lawal's administration has prioritized education reform as part of its governance agenda, with the clearance of examination debts representing a significant step toward normalizing educational activities in the state.