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Tag: NECO

  • NECO opens up on reported recruitment of new workers

    NECO opens up on reported recruitment of new workers

    The National Examinations Council (NECO) has dissociated itself from an online publication purporting that the Council is planning to recruit new workers.

    This is contained in a statement made available to newsmen in Abuja on Wednesday by Azeez Sani. the Acting Director, Information and Public Relations, NECO.

    Sani enjoined members of the public to disregard the publication, as it had no plan to recruit new staff.

    “The Council hereby strongly states that the publication is the product of the imagination of fraudsters who are out to defraud unsuspecting members of the public.

    “NECO under the able leadership of the Registrar/Chief Executive, Prof. Dantani Wushishi will always adhere to due process and relevant extant laws when the Federal Government gives approval for staff recruitment,” he said.

  • FG reacts to rumour of WAEC, NECO cancellation

    FG reacts to rumour of WAEC, NECO cancellation

    The Federal Ministry of Education has warned Nigerians to disregard  false and misleading statement circulating online, alleging the cancellation of the 2025 WAEC examinations due to widespread malpractice.

    This is contained in a statement  in Abuja on Sunday by the Director Press, Federal Ministry of Education, Mrs Folasade Boriowo.

    “The Ministry wishes to categorically disassociate itself from this fake news and clarify the following:

    “The 2025 WAEC Examinations have been successfully concluded, with only a few isolated incidents of malpractice reported, all of which were promptly addressed by the relevant authorities.

    “The ongoing NECO examinations are progressing smoothly, and as of this release, no cases of examination malpractice have been reported,” she said.

    Boriowo explained further that the Ministry had not received any official communication or report from WAEC, NECO, or any examination body regarding widespread malpractice in either of the examinations.

    She urged students, parents, school administrators, and the general public to disregard the fake press release currently in circulation.

    ” It is entirely fabricated, misleading, and intended to cause unnecessary panic and confusion.

    “The public is advised to seek information only from verified and credible sources, including the official website of the Federal Ministry of Education: www.education.gov.ng,” she added.

    Other official website for verification are: www.waecnigeria.org, www.neco.gov.ng.

    She explained that the ministry remained fully committed to upholding the integrity, credibility, and orderly conduct of all public examinations and wound continue working closely with examination bodies to strengthen monitoring and enforcement mechanisms.

    She added that anyone found spreading false information would be reported to the appropriate security agencies for investigation and prosecution.

  • NECO steps up efforts to crackdown on exam leak syndicates

    NECO steps up efforts to crackdown on exam leak syndicates

    The National Examinations Council (NECO) says it’s stepping up efforts to stem examination malpractices fuelled by internet fraud, especially the leak of examination questions via the WhatsApp platform.

    Mr Ahmed Bagwai, NECO’s Chairman of the Annual Posting Calendar Implementation Committee (APCIC), stated this in an interview with NAN in Ibadan on Wednesday.

    Bagwai revealed that the council had initiated legal processes to obtain a court order to block identified telephone lines linked to these leaks.

    He said that a motion ex parte had already been prepared with additional input expected before filing at the Suleja Division of the Niger State High Court.

    According to him, NECO also operates an Examination Intelligence Committee, working in collaboration with agencies such as the ICPC, EFCC, and the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC).

    “These efforts have made it more difficult for fraudsters to access live question papers a day or two before the exam.

    “However, leaks persist just hours before scheduled papers.

    “Distributions are tightly monitored from the printing press to custodian points, but we are still identifying suspicious patterns at the non-daily custodian level, possibly supervisors,” Bagwai noted.

    He, therefore, called on the public, media, and security agencies to work together to safeguard the integrity of national examinations.

    However, while monitoring the ongoing NECO exams, NAN observes that dedicated WhatsApp channels have become marketplaces for leaked exam content.

    For instance, questions were observed being sold for as little as ₦500 to ₦3,500 via Fintech platforms, reaching candidates across different states.

    Furthermore, some teachers and supervisors were allegedly observed aiding the malpractice by taking bribes from students and parents.

    An Ibadan-based teacher, who prefers to be anonymous, confirmed the existence of such channels and expressed concern that even joint state entrance exams are no longer immune.

    “Social media, societal values, and parental complicity are fuelling the crisis,” said the teacher.

    The teacher, therefore, called for stiffer penalties and community vigilance, emphasising that the crisis has become a threat to the future of education in Nigeria.

    “It has become a booming underground business,” another source disclosed.

    Meanwhile, a former Commissioner of Police and JAMB security consultant, Mr Fatai Owoseni, told NAN of how perpetrators now exploit digital tools.

    According to him, the use of ‘face-blending’, which is the merging of faces for impersonation during biometric exams, is trending.

    “Exam malpractice is now an industry as candidates hire mercenaries.

    “JAMB has invested heavily in digital defence but still faces hacking attempts,” said Owoseni, who is also the Special Adviser on Security Matters to Gov. Seyi Makinde of Oyo State.

    Praising JAMB’s digital transformation under the leadership of Prof. Ishaq Oloyede, he advised NECO and WAEC to work closely with JAMB.

    “The way forward is collaboration and cautious adaptation of CBT,” he added.

  • NECO releases 2025 BECE results for 179,201 candidates

    NECO releases 2025 BECE results for 179,201 candidates

    The National Examinations Council (NECO) has announced the release of the 2025 Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) results.

    According to the Council in a statement issued on Wednesday by the Acting Director of Information and Public Relations at NECO, Azeez Sani,  a total of 179,201 candidates registered for the junior secondary school exit examination, which was held from May 12 to May 23, covering 12 subjects across various centres nationwide.

    Sani, confirmed that the release followed the 2025 BECE Award Committee Meeting held at NECO headquarters in Minna, Niger State.

    Sani noted that the Council concluded all procedures required for the release of the results, following validation by internal and external education stakeholders.

    “The successful conclusion of the BECE Award Committee Meeting paved the way for the release of the results,” Sani stated.

    The Director of Basic Education at the Federal Ministry of Education, Dr. Folake Olatunji-David, while chairing the meeting expressed satisfaction with the conduct and outcome of the exam.

    “We are pleased with the transparent process that led to the approval and release of the results,” she noted.

    The committee, which comprised NECO management and selected secondary school principals from across Nigeria, also reviewed performance trends and examination logistics during the meeting.

    Re-sit Set for July 23 and 24

    The Award Committee also approved the date and timetable for the 2025 BECE re-sit examination, specifically for candidates who did not pass Mathematics and English Studies.

    The resit is scheduled to take place on July 23 and 24, 2025.

    NECO urged schools, parents, and candidates to take note of the dates and prepare accordingly.

  • NECO 2025: 58 inmates sit for SSCE in Kano – NCoS

    NECO 2025: 58 inmates sit for SSCE in Kano – NCoS

    The Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS), Kano State Command, says 58 inmates from its custodial facilities are currently sitting for the 2025 National Examination Council (NECO) Senior School Certificate Examination (SSCE).

    This is contained in a statement issued by the command’s Public Relations Officer, Musbahu Kofar-Nasarawa, on Sunday in Kano.

    According to him, the milestone was achieved following the payment of registration fees by the Kano State Government under the leadership of Gov. Abba Yusuf.

    “The gesture is a testament to the state government’s commitment to the welfare, rehabilitation, reformation, and reintegration of inmates in the command,”  Kofar-Nasarawa said.

    The command expressed profound gratitude to the Governor for his unwavering support and partnership, adding that it would boost the morale of inmates and provide them with a second chance at education and a brighter future.

    “The NCoS Kano State Command, remains committed to providing a conducive environment for the rehabilitation and reformation of inmates.

    “We are proud to have the support of the Kano State Government in this endeavour,” the statement added.

  • NECO disowns fake Facebook account

    NECO disowns fake Facebook account

    The National Examinations Council (NECO) has disowned a fake facebook account opened in the name of the Registrar/Chief Executive, Prof. Dantani Wushishi aimed at defrauding unsuspecting members of the public.

    This is contained in a statement made available to newsmen in Abuja on Sunday by the Council’s Acting Director, Information and Public Relations, Mr Azeez Sani.

    “The Council wishes to draw the attention of the public to the existence of this fake facebook account in order to avoid being swindled by the fraudsters,” he said

    Meanwhile, Sani said that security agents had been informed to take appropriate action against the perpetrators of the fraudulent act.

  • WAEC, NECO to adopt CBT for exams 2026

    WAEC, NECO to adopt CBT for exams 2026

    The Federal Government has directed the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) and the National Examinations Council (NECO) to adopt full Computer-Based Testing (CBT) for all their examinations by 2026.

    The Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, disclosed this during the monitoring of the ongoing exams alongside JAMB officials, in Bwari on Monday.

    More than 2 million candidates registered for the ongoing examination in more than 800 centres across the country.

    Alausa revealed that both the WAEC and NECO would start administering their objective papers via CBT effective this November.

    According to him, subsequently adopting the CBT for the essay and objective components would commence fully by May/June 2026.

    ”If JAMB can successfully conduct CBT exams for more than 2.2 million candidates, WAEC and NECO can do the same.

    “We are going to get WAEC and NECO to also start their objective exam on CBT.

    “By 2026 exams which will come up in May/June, both the objectives and the essay will be fully on CBT. That is how we can eliminate exam malpractices.”

    Alausa also disclosed that a committee is currently reviewing examination standards nationwide, with recommendations expected next month.

    Earlier, the JAMB Registrar, Prof. Ishaq Oloyede, while speaking on the early schedule of the exams, clarified that the board’s UTME exams had always begun at 8:00 a.m.

    Oloyede said that candidates were only expected to be on ground by 6:30 a.m., to enable them to get accredited before the exams.

    He dismissed complaints about early arrival times, noting that it was necessary to screen candidates before exams begin.

    “We have always started our exams at 8 o’clock. The first session is 8 o’clock, second session 10:30, third session, 1 p.m, and fourth session 3:30p.m.

    Oloyede also debunked claims of candidates being posted to centres they did not choose, stating that investigations showed no such cases happened.

    He confirmed that more than 1.6 million out of 2.03 million registered candidates had completed their exams, with about 50,000 remaining.

    The registrar further revealed that more than 40 candidates had been arrested for malpractice, including impersonation and attempting to smuggle out exam questions with hidden cameras.

    He added that of the registered candidates, more than 41,000 were underage.

  • NECO acquires high-speed scanner to enhance exam processing

    NECO acquires high-speed scanner to enhance exam processing

    The National Examinations Council (NECO), says it has acquired a high-speed scanner, to enhance the efficiency, credibility and security of examination processing.

    The Scantron Insight 1500C high-performance Optical Mark Recognition (OMR) scanner was estimated at N700 million.

    The Registrar of NECO, Prof. Dantani Wushishi, stated this during the inauguration of the machine at its Information and Communication Technology (ICT) centre, on Thursday in Minna.

    He said that the council’s quest to acquire the machine began in 2022, after he assumed duty in July 2021.

    Wushishi recalled that during the inspection of the council’s facilities it was discovered that 60 out of the 100 machines were dysfunctional, including the DRS machines, previously used by the council, had been decommissioned and no longer in production.

    He said the council decided to explore alternative options and acquired spare parts to enhance the functionality of the existing machines.

    “The new Scantron Insight 1500C scanner uses a digital camera and has the capacity to scan 15,000 sheets per hour and 250 sheets per minute.

    “This was a significant improvement over the previous system which required weeks to scan the same number of sheets using 20 to 30 scanning machines,” he said.

    Wushishi said that the large number of OMR sheets handled by the council, particularly for the Senior Secondary Certificate Examination (SSCE), made it imperative to acquire a technology that would enhance efficiency and reduce processing time.

    Earlier, Mr Goddy Usioboh, the Director of the ICT centre, said the council was leveraging technology to improve accuracy, speed and reliability in its examination processing.

    He noted that the Scantron Insight 1500C was known for its precision, speed and ability to handle large volumes of scripts efficiently, adding that it would significantly enhance NECO’s data processing capabilities.

    “It will ensure faster and more accurate results processing for millions of candidates across the country.

    “This aligns with NECO’s vision of delivering world-class examination services while maintaining the integrity of our assessment system,” he said.

    The ICT expert, therefore, urged members of staff to embrace the development and maximise their potentials in their day-to-day operations.

  • NECO to establish examination centres for police

    NECO to establish examination centres for police

    The Registrar of the National Examinations Council (NECO), Prof Dantani Wushishi has promised to establish examination centres for the police  in Lagos State.

    He made the promise during a courtesy visit to the Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Command, Mr Olohundare Jimoh at the command Headquarters on Friday in Ikeja.

    Wushishi said that NECO would consider to establish six centres for police family to access the examination.

    “NECO conducts five different examinations: National Gifted Examination which is the examination for placement into Federal Government Academy, Suleja; National Common Entrance Examination; the Basis Education Certificate Examination;

    “Other are Senior Secondary Certificate Examination (internal); and Senior Secondary School Certificate (external) for private candidates, this is an examination that require students who have not been able to make credits requirement for admission into tertiary institutions will sit for the type of examination to make up the require credits for examination.

    “We conduct this types of examination in the sense that any candidates can apply, we have centres specially designated that candidates can choose as close to the resident of the candidates.

    “All police families can fix into the category of examinations, ” he said.

    Wushishi said that the board would send its men to the locations the Lagos State Command wanted its centres to be established.

    “We will send our men to look out some of the facilities that will require such centres to be available for approval.

    “By the grace of God, we are going to do that, it is very important because the Nigeria Police is serving the nation and their children must have easy access to examinations to remediate their failed subjects to be able to further their educations.

    “The request is very important to the police and their children and also for the nation.

    “It is duty bound on the nation to take access to education very easy and this is one of the ways we can provide access to police children that have passed Senior Secondary School and waiting to mediate their results.

    “As fast as we received the request from the police, we will send our men to access the area centres that the command want us to approve for examination centres,” he said.

    According to him, NECO’s challenge is funding in the area of provision of some physical infrastructure such as offices and some other things to make conductive office work easy.

    He thanked the Police for carrying out security surveillance and physical security during its examinations.

    “We have examination intelligent committee, this is our covered committee, it has to do with examination infringement investigation, the committee is collaborating with the police to successfully apprehend those partaking in examination malpractice, ” he said.

    According to him, Lagos is one of the largest states that provides the largest number of candidates.

    “Lagos provides second largest candidates for Senior Secondary School Certificate Examination (SSCE) internal after Kano State.

    “Last year, Lagos provides over 98,000 candidates for the SSCE second to Kano that provided over 104,000 candidates.

    “Our collaboration with Nigeria Police has been long for a very long time. The police have been assisting NECO to conduct examination peacefully, mounting surveillance and mounting security .

    “We have a lot of places we conduct examination in Lagos and the police have been cooperating with us,”he said

    He congratulated the new CP for his new appointment and wished him the best of luck.

    CP Jimoh said that the collaboration between police and NECO would continue.

    “Lagos Police and NECO have been collaborating and will continue this partnership.This collaboration has been going on for years, examination security has been one of the responsibilities of the police.

    “We have been working with the Intelligence Department in NECO to ensure that planning for securing examination conduct in the pre-examination period, examination period, and post-examination period and it has been going on smoothly.

    “We will double our commitment to NECO and take it to higher level, we are ready to give NECO all the cooperation it deserve, ” he said.

    According to him, the six locations picked for the establishment of NECO centres are the areas of need, three centre on the Island and three on the Mainland, these locations are close to populated area is where police family are much in number.

    “We know this will be granted and it will be far reaching in enhancing the police children, wards and families will have access to the centres close to where they are living,” he said.

  • Just In: NECO releases SSCE results, records 67.3% pass

    Just In: NECO releases SSCE results, records 67.3% pass

    The National Examinations Council (NECO) has released the 2024 External Senior School Certificate Examination (SSCE) results with 67.3 per cent pass.

    According to the results released, 57,114 candidates, representing 67.3%, passed with credits in five subjects, including Mathematics and English Language.

    Details Later…