Sarki Abba who hails from Kano State is the genius that was made to rewrite WASCE after scoring 9 distinctions
In 1984, 16-year old Abba, a student of Science Secondary School Dawakin Tofa, scored 9 distinctions (8 A1 and 1 A2) in his West African Senior School Certificate (WASCE) Exams.
Examination authorities in Lagos didn't believe Abba made those excellent scores without cheating. The authorities provided a car that took Abba to Lagos in order to retake the exam.
Abba was made to take the 9 exams in a duration of 3 days, under heavy supervision. After marking the rescheduled exams, he scored 9 A1 (the only ‘A2’ he had in English Language before the retake, became ‘A1’ resulted to 9 A1) Faced with shock, the authorities apologized and instituted the National Merit Award. And, rightfully, Sarki Abba was the first recipient of the award.
In 1989/90 school session, 21, Sarki Abba graduated as OVERALL BEST Medical Student, and OVERALL BEST Graduating Student at ABU, Zaria— he was just 21.