“Special Centres”: From cheating to disaster 

In many parts of Nigeria (including the North or “Arewa”), the practice of enrolling students in so-called “Special Centres” for WAEC and NECO examinations has sadly become common. These centres promise guaranteed success by allowing – and often encouraging – various forms of cheating during national exams. While it may appear to be a shortcut to academic success, the long-term consequences of this unethical approach are devastating, not only for the students involved but for the entire Arewa society.

Parents who knowingly enrol their children in these centres, and students who willingly participate, may believe they are securing a better future. However, what they are truly doing is laying a foundation built on lies and false confidence.

Consequences of special centres: Disaster Loading…

A child who passes exams through cheating is not academically prepared for the demands of university education. As a result, many of these students struggle to cope with higher education, often dropping out or graduating with poor results.

Worse still, some of these students go on to study critical courses like medicine, nursing, engineering, or pharmacy — professions that require a deep and accurate understanding of complex concepts. A poorly trained doctor or engineer, who cheated their way through secondary school, can pose serious dangers to the lives of others. The cost of dishonesty is not just academic failure; it can lead to avoidable deaths, failed infrastructure, or medical malpractice.

ADA as simple and cost effective solution

Arewa, which is already “educationally disadvantaged” does not need more problems such as half-baked graduates — it needs skilled, knowledgeable, and ethical professionals who can uplift the region. This is why platforms like Arewa Digital Academy (ADA) are so important. ADA offers affordable and accessible online courses in subjects relevant to WAEC and NECO, using the Hausa language or a combination of English and Hausa for better understanding. It provides an honest path to learning, helping students build true knowledge that will benefit them in university and beyond.

By rejecting “special centres” and choosing platforms like ADA, parents can teach their children the value of hard work, discipline, and integrity. These values are far more important than any certificate earned through dishonesty. Let us raise a generation of Arewa students who are confident, competent, and committed to building a better society.

The future of Arewa lies not in shortcuts, but in education that is honest, inclusive, and empowering. Say no to special centres. Say yes to real learning.