Dissecting NECO’s 25 Years of Persistence in Exams Transformation
The National Examinations Council (NECO) has lived up to expectations, examining over 35 million candidates in 25 years and proving itself as a reliable examination body with international recognition despite initial challenges and doubts. However, sustaining public trust will depend on its ability to maintain integrity, improve service delivery and adapt to emerging global trends in educational assessment.
A quarter of a century after it was established to provide credible and accessible examinations for Nigerian students, NECO has emerged as one of the country’s most influential educational institutions, having registered more than 35 million candidates in 25 years. The silver jubilee held recently in Abuja was not merely an anniversary ceremony, but a moment of reflection on the remarkable journey of an institution that has become central to the nation’s educational development.
The colourful event attracted policymakers, academics, school administrators, examination experts and stakeholders from across the education sector. Vice President Kashim Shettima led dignitaries at the celebration, which also had in attendance the Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa; former Head of State, Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar; Niger State Governor, Umaru Bago; Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas; Etsu Nupe and Chairman, Niger State Council of Traditional Rulers, Dr. Yahaya Abubakar; officials of tertiary institutions, heads of education agencies and former NECO leaders who gathered to celebrate the growth and resilience of the Council.
Established in 1999 by the Federal Government, NECO was created to address growing concerns about examination access and credibility in the country. Before its establishment, there had been widespread agitation for a national examination body that would better respond to Nigeria’s educational realities and provide wider opportunities for students seeking secondary school certification. From its modest beginning, the Council gradually expanded its operations and influence across the federation and now conducts examinations in eight countries, including Benin Republic, Togo, Niger Republic, Equatorial Guinea, Côte d’Ivoire, Saudi Arabia, United Kingdom and Gabon.
Today, NECO conducts the Senior School Certificate Examination, the Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) and the National Common Entrance Examination for admission into Federal Unity Colleges. Over the years, its certificates have gained recognition within and outside Nigeria, while millions of candidates have relied on the Council for academic progression into higher institutions and professional careers.
At the anniversary celebration, the Registrar and Chief Executive of NECO, Prof. Ibrahim Dantani Wushishi, revealed that more than 35 million candidates had participated in examinations conducted by the Council within its 25 years of existence. The figure, according to stakeholders, reflects the confidence Nigerians have continued to place in the institution despite the challenges confronting the education sector.
Many observers believe the Council’s journey has been one of persistence and steady transformation. In its early years, NECO battled skepticism, operational difficulties and concerns over examination malpractice. However, through reforms and institutional strengthening, it gradually established itself as a credible alternative in the nation’s examination landscape.
The achievements recorded under the current leadership of Prof. Wushishi have further strengthened the Council’s reputation. Since assuming office in 2021, the Professor of Science Education has focused on modernising examination administration and improving operational efficiency. Under his leadership, NECO intensified the deployment of digital technology in registration, result processing and examination monitoring. The Council also strengthened measures against examination malpractice through biometric verification and improved supervision systems. Stakeholders say these reforms have enhanced transparency and increased public confidence in the integrity of NECO examinations.
Another major achievement recorded during Wushishi’s tenure is the improvement in the timely release of examination results. Candidates and parents who once complained about delays now receive results within a shorter period, thereby reducing anxiety and easing admission processes into tertiary institutions. The Registrar has also prioritised staff welfare and professional development, ensuring that workers are better equipped to handle evolving challenges in educational assessment.
Beyond administrative reforms, Wushishi has continued to advocate stronger collaboration among education agencies and stakeholders to improve standards within the sector. Under his leadership, the Council has expanded its visibility and reinforced its role as a national institution committed to fairness, integrity and innovation.
The current achievements of NECO are built on foundations laid by previous registrars and chief executives who guided the institution through different phases of growth. From the pioneer Registrar, Emeritus Professor Dibu Ojerinde, whose tenure (1999 to 2007) is widely remembered for stabilising the institution and establishing operational structures that helped it gain nationwide acceptance to Prof. Promise Okpala (2007 to 2014), Prof. Monday Joshua (2014 to 2018), Prof. Charles Uwakwe (2018 to 2020), Abubakar Gana (2020, acting), Prof. Godswill Obioma (2020 to 2021) and Ebikibina Ogborodi (2021, acting), each administration strengthened the credibility, reach and operational capacity of the examination body, paving the way for the reforms and expansion currently being witnessed under the leadership of Wushishi.
Speaking at the silver jubilee celebration in Abuja, Vice President Kashim Shettima urged the Council to deepen its commitment to integrity in examination administration and strengthen security mechanisms to safeguard the credibility of assessments. Represented by his Senior Special Assistant on Legal and Compliance Matters, Bashir Maidugu, the Vice President also called for the transparent and timely release of results, stressing that NECO’s services must remain accessible and affordable to every Nigerian child regardless of background.
Shettima further encouraged the Council to expand professional development opportunities for educators and examiners, while leveraging technology and strategic partnerships to drive innovation, especially in the era of Artificial Intelligence. He commended NECO’s achievements over the last 25 years, describing the milestone as a reflection of national resolve and confidence in the potential of Nigerian children.
In his keynote address, the Minister of Education, Alausa, said NECO had performed exceptionally well in reducing examination malpractice by 90 per cent through deliberate reforms in examination administration and security. He announced that the Council would begin Computer-Based Examinations (CBE) in some schools later this year, with full migration by 2027 to further strengthen examination integrity and enable real-time monitoring of candidates.
Alausa noted that NECO’s focus on secure examination processes, reliable scoring and timely release of results had restored public confidence in national certification. He added that investments in examiner training, psychometrics, quality assurance and technology-driven systems had strengthened operational standards, while the expansion of examination centres and subject offerings had improved access and inclusiveness across the country.
Speaking earlier, Wushishi said the Council had grown from its early challenges of limited public trust and inadequate infrastructure to become an internationally recognised examination body. He attributed the progress to transparent procedures, online registration, internet-based result release and sustained collaboration with stakeholders within and outside Nigeria.
Wushishi also highlighted several infrastructural and technological achievements, including the construction of offices in 10 states, establishment of a standard science laboratory, procurement of operational vehicles and development of digital platforms such as the NECO e-verify application, e-library and data analysis studio. He paid tribute to former heads of state, Ministers of Education, Governing Board members and past Registrars for laying the foundation for the Council’s growth, while reaffirming NECO’s commitment to enhancing security protocols, expanding e-services and improving access for learners in underserved communities.
While commending NECO for expanding educational opportunities and making meaningful contributions to national development through credible and reliable assessment systems, other speakers called for stronger collaboration among examination bodies across the country. They also stressed the need for sustained investment in educational infrastructure, technology and manpower development to ensure the Council remains competitive in an increasingly digital world.
As part of activities marking the celebration, a lecture titled ‘Educational Assessment in a Changing World: Innovations, Challenges and Opportunities for Africa’ was delivered by Emeritus Prof. Pius Augustine Ike (PAI) Obanya. A book titled ‘Twenty-Five Years of NECO: Evolution, Challenges and Contributions to Nigeria’s Educational Assessment System’ was also unveiled.
For many Nigerians, the milestone of registering over 35 million candidates within 25 years represents more than a numerical achievement; but reflects the trust families, schools and institutions have continued to place in the Council as a reliable examination body capable of shaping the educational future of millions of young people.
The journey of NECO over the last 25 years reflects the broader story of Nigeria’s determination to strengthen its education system through credible and inclusive assessment. From a modest national examination body established amid skepticism and operational challenges, the Council has grown into a major institution whose certificates are recognised beyond the country’s borders. Its expansion in infrastructure, adoption of technology and commitment to reducing examination malpractice have continued to position it as a critical pillar in the nation’s educational development.
As the Council looks ahead, stakeholders believe sustaining public trust will depend on its ability to maintain integrity, improve service delivery and adapt to emerging global trends in educational assessment. With increasing emphasis on digital innovation, transparency and international collaboration, many education experts say NECO’s next chapter will require even greater commitment to excellence to meet the aspirations of millions of Nigerian students who depend on the institution for academic and professional advancement.
