Nigerian Genius, Sarki Abba, who Made 9 Distinctions in WASSCE, Now Professor in US

In a remarkable tale of academic excellence, Sarki Abba, a 16-year-old student from Kano State, Nigeria, made headlines in 1984 by scoring 9 distinctions in the West African School Certificate Examination (WASSCE).

However, his outstanding achievement was initially met with skepticism by examination authorities, who suspected cheating.

In a shocking turn of events, Abba was summoned to Lagos to retake the exams under close supervision.

The young scholar was given just three days to complete the 9 exams, and to the astonishment of the authorities, he emerged with an even more impressive result – 9 A1s.

The examination authorities were left with no choice but to apologize and acknowledge Abba’s genius. In recognition of his exceptional achievement, the National Merit Award was instituted, with Abba becoming its first recipient.

Abba’s academic prowess continued to shine as he graduated as the Overall Best Medical Student and Overall Best Graduating Student at Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria, at the tender age of 21.

Today, Professor Sarki Abba is a renowned expert in his field, serving as a Professor of Urological Research, and Professor of Urology and Pathology at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, USA. He also holds the position of Co-Director of Cancer Global Health at the Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center of Northwestern University, IL, USA.

Abba’s remarkable journey is a testament to the power of hard work, dedication, and natural talent.

His story serves as an inspiration to students and scholars across the globe, and his achievements continue to make Nigeria proud.

As the first recipient of the National Merit Award, Professor Sarki Abba’s legacy continues to motivate and encourage excellence in education, and his contributions to the field of medicine are a shining example of the impact one person can have on the world.