A former student of Eemaan Foundation College, Osogbo in Osun State Master Ajisafe Olamilekan, got the 1st prize of the West African Examination Council National Distinction/ Merit Award for the year 2024.

He clinched the award with eight A1, in subjects, including English language and Mathematics and a total-score of 580.8535.

The second prize went to Miss Onovo Eberechukwu, from Louisville Girls High School, Ijebu-Itele, Ogun State with eight A1 including English language and Mathematics and a total-score of 576.2304.

Also Mba Chibuike Mac-Dinald of Grundtvig International Secondary Oba Anambra State got the third prize with eight A1, including English language and Mathematics and a total-score of 575.7032.

The trio received the award on Thursday in Umuahia the Abia State capital during the 63rd annual meeting of the Nigeria National Committee of the West African Examination Council.

The Chairman of the Nigeria National Committee of WAEC, Hajiya Binta Abdulkadir, announced that the Council had recorded ground-breaking progress with the introduction of the Computer Based West African Senior School Certificate Examination for school candidates.

Abdulkadir stated that the move positions WAEC as the first examining body in Nigeria to begin the digital examination transition at such scale.

She said, “No child would be disadvantaged by the new system, with extensive training and pilot tests already underway to familiarise students with digital response formats.

On concerns regarding curriculum adjustments, she said, “I want to assure school administrators and parents that candidates will retain the flexibility to register combinations that support academic progression.

“WAEC has extended the timeline for uploading Continuous Assessment Scores to ensure accurate records for the 2026 examination cycle.

The Head of the Nigeria National Office of WAEC, Dr Amos Josiah Dangut, revealed that the Committee’s meeting remains the Council’s highest policy forum in the country, entrusted with shaping decisions that affect millions of young people.

Dangut reaffirmed WAEC’s commitment to deepening technology driven processes, including digital marking, electronic certificate management, the use of quick response codes, e learning platforms and real time service portals that expand access to the Council’s services.

The Abia State Governor Alex Otti welcomed the delegates, noting the state’s steady reforms in school infrastructure, teacher capacity and learning outcomes.

Otti, who was represented by the Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, Goodluck Ubochi, described the meeting as more than a statutory engagement, but a rare opportunity for stakeholders to reflect, collaborate and strengthen the future of millions of Nigerian learners.

Other outstanding students and schools across Nigeria received national recognition during the ceremony.

The WAEC Endowment Fund Book Prizes, valued at five thousand dollars, were presented to the top performing schools in Abia State in the 2024 WASSCE. (PUNCH)

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