Kaduna State played host to the 62nd Annual Meeting of the Nigeria National Committee (NNC) of the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) from 17 to 23 November, 2024.
The event, held at Hotel Seventeen and formally opened at the National Teachers Institute (NTI), Kaduna, showcased Kaduna State’s pivotal role in shaping education across Nigeria and West Africa.
The opening ceremony, was graced by the Deputy Governor, Dr. Hadiza Sabuwa Balarabe, representing Governor Senator Uba Sani.
The Governor’s address highlighted Kaduna’s strategic efforts, including allocating 25% of the 2024 budget to education, fostering technological innovations, and combating examination malpractice.
During the event, Governor Uba Sani emphasized Kaduna’s legacy as a hub of learning, noting ongoing initiatives to enhance educational quality and accessibility. Notably, the state has allocated 7,500 square meters of land for WAEC’s upcoming state-of-the-art Computer-Based Test (CBT) Centre. The Governor also commended WAEC’s ICT-driven advancements.
WAEC’s decision to recognize Kaduna’s top-performing schools in the 2023 WASSCE was a moment of pride for the state. The meeting also celebrated individuals with over two decades of dedicated service to WAEC, reinforcing the Council’s commitment to excellence.
Delegates, including policymakers, education directors, and WAEC officials, paid a courtesy visit to the Emir of Zazzau, His Royal Highness, Ambassador Ahmed Nuhu Bamalli, further enriching the cultural essence of the gathering.
Last year, during the Council’s Annual Meeting, Kaduna State was elected to represent education directors on four of WAEC’s strategic committees, cementing its leadership role in shaping regional educational policies. Governor Sani reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to fostering a conducive learning environment, leveraging innovations like hybrid CBT and paper-based exams through the Kaduna State Schools Quality Assurance Authority (KSSQAA).
The Commissioner for Education, Prof. Muhammad Sani Bello Mainan Zazzau, reaffirmed Kaduna State’s dedication to educational upliftment and quality standards. He emphasized the state’s strategic position as a center of learning and pledged full support to WAEC for the event’s success.
The delegation also visited the site allocated for the construction of the CBT Centre, underscoring the state’s commitment to the project. Prof. Usman Abubakr Zaria, Director General of the Kaduna State Schools Quality Assurance Authority, thanked WAEC for choosing Kaduna State to host the prestigious event. He urged WAEC to expedite the construction of the CBT centre, which would be the first of its kind in Northern Nigeria, if completed as envisioned.
Emir of Zazzau, Amb. Ahmed Nuhu Bamalli, welcomed the WAEC delegation to the palace and commended the decision to construct the CBT centre at Nuhu Bamalli Polytechnic, Zaria. He encouraged WAEC to complete the project promptly, reflecting the Council’s international reputation.
