Tag: NECO

NECO Registrar: My father was not murdered – Prof Obioma’s son

Prince Godswill Obioma, son to the late Registrar of National Examinations Council (NECO), Prof Godswill Obioma has countered reports that his father was murdered.

TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports Prince Obioma as saying his father Prof Obioma died of an undisclosed illness, according to a letter he addressed to the Nigerian examination body.

Following the death of his father, Prince Obioma wrote to NECO’s Director of Human Resource Management, Mustapha K. Abdul to intimate the organization of the development.

In the letter, the son of the late NECO Registrar requested Abdul to notify the board, management and the entire staff of the Council of the development.

The letter reads: “Mustapha K. Abdul (Director Human Resource Management, NECO),

“Dear Sir, this is to formally inform you that my father, Prof. Godswill Obioma, the Registrar/Chief Executive of NECO passed to eternal glory yesterday 31/5/2021 after a brief illness.

“We request that you kindly notify the Board, Management and the entire staff of the Council of this development. We shall keep you duly informed”.

TNG reports the letter contradicts earlier reports that the NECO Registrar was murdered in Minna, capital of Niger State shortly after a visit to Abuja, the federal capital territory (FCT).

June 1, 2021
Senate sustains AuGF query against NECO over N6.5bn contract awards

The Senate has sustained a query issued against the National Examination Council by the Auditor-General for the Federation, for allegedly awarding N6.5bn contracts without following due process.

The query is contained in the AuGF 2017 report already being considered by the Senate Public Accounts Committee.

The contracts, according to the AuGF, involved the printing of security and non-security documents by the examination body.

The Chairman of SPAC, Senator Matthew Urhoghide, while sustaining the probe at the sitting of the panel on Thursday, said the NECO management did not sufficiently defend the contract award process.

The AuGF report had also specified that the agency was unable to present relevant records to show that approval was granted for the contract by the Ministerial Tenders Board in the first contract totalling N451m.

In the second contract which is about N6.1 bn, the AuGF said quotations were not collected from three bidders as required by the Public Procurement Act 2007.

It also stated that taxes were not deducted from some of the contract payments.

The report partly read, “Taxes were not deducted from some of the contract payments.

“There was no technical and financial evaluation. Evidence of placement of advertisement was not attached to either payment vouchers or contract files.

“The amount expended was above the threshold of the Council and the contracts were split as some contracts were awarded to the same contractor with LPO and work order issued on the same date.

“Examination of records and documents revealed that the Commission’s Tenders Board approved the award of contract for the printing of security materials in the sum of ₦451m to a company in March 2017 in contravention of provisions of Federal Government Circular No.SGF/OP/I/S.3/XI/849 of 16th January 2016.

“The Circular reiterated the approved revised thresholds for service-wide application, for which the parastatal tender board can only exercise authority on works whose value is less than ₦250m while any sum above this, is to be referred to the Ministerial Tenders Board for approval.

“We sought for the authority for the above approval including the ministerial approval but none was provided.

“The above unilateral award of contracts without following due process may lead to awarding contracts to unqualified contractors.”

The AuGF, therefore, suggested that “the Registrar/CEO (of NECO) should be sanctioned in line with provisions of Financial Regulation 3117.”

The NECO’s Registrar/CEO, Prof. Godswill Obioma in his response before the Committee on the issue of N461m said, ” These are payments to Data Science Nigeria Limited for the supply of Optical Mark Readers for objectives questions paper for various examinations conducted by the Council.”

The committee sustained the queries on the grounds that NECO could not provide evidence of approval from the Ministerial Tenders Board before awarding contracts beyond its threshold.

The second query read, “Examination of contracts awarded for the printing of Security and Non- Security Documents valued at ₦6,166,405,407.42 revealed that the contracts were awarded without compliance with the provisions of PART VI, Section 24 (I) of the Public Procurement Act 2007 as amended.

“The PPA Act states that except as provided by this Act, all procurements of goods and works by all procuring entities shall be conducted by open competitive bidding.

“The following irregularities were also noted: Quotations were not collected from three bidders as required by PPA 2007, taxes were not deducted from some of the contract payments, there was no technical and financial evaluation.

“Others are, Evidence of placement of advertisement was not attached to either payment vouchers or contract files while the amount expended was above the threshold of the Council.

“The contracts were split as some contracts were awarded to same contractor with LPO and work order issued on the same date.”

Also in his response to the N6.1bn query, the Registrar said, “The contracts for the printing of our questions are awarded through selective tendering.

“This is the case to avoid leakages of our examinations and award of contract to printers of doubted integrity.”

May 24, 2021
NECO reschedules 2021 common entrance examinations

The National Examinations Council (NECO) has rescheduled the 2021 National Common Entrance Examination (NCEE) into Federal Unity Colleges from May 29 to June 5.

This is contained in a statement by Mr Azeez Sani, NECO Head of Information and Public Relations Division in Abuja on Wednesday.

Sani enjoined candidates, parents, guardians and relevant stakeholders to take note of the new date for the examination.

He said that registration of candidates would continue until the new date of the examination, while advising candidates, parents and guardians to download the new Examination Time Table from the Council’s website: www.neco.gov.ng.

May 19, 2021
NECO releases 2020 SSCE results

The National Examinations Council (NECO) has released the results of the 2020 Senior School Certificate Examination for External Candidates.

This is contained in a statement signed by Mr Azeez Sani, Head, Information and Public Relations Division of council in Abuja on Thursday.

The council Registrar, Prof. Godswill Obioma, during the announcement of results, said 41,459 candidates registered for the examination out of which 39,503 actually sat for it.

Obioma explained that a total of 26,277 candidates obained five credits and above including English Language and Mathematics while 34,014 candidates also obtained five credits and above irrespective of English Language and Mathematics.

The registrar who reiterated the council’s zero tolerance for examination malpractice, noted that appropriate standards and excellence were maintained right from the planning stage to the release of results.

He added that 6,465 cases of examination malpractice were recorded in the 2020 SSCE External as against 17,004 cases in 2019.

He noted that the reduction in the level of malpractice was as a result of deepened monitoring of the examination by members of the Governing Board, Management and Senior Staff of the Council.

He further explained that in line with the council’s zero tolerance for examination malpractice, four supervisors who were found culpable of aiding and abetting malpractice had been blacklisted and would no longer be engaged in the conduct of NECO examinations.

Obioma said that the results of 256,000 candidates who missed some papers during the 2020 SSCE (Internal) due to the ENDSARS Protests in some states and who sat for those papers during the 2020 SSCE (External) are being released along side external candidates.

“ One examination centre in Ogun State has been derecognised for intimidation and several attempts to induce NECO officials as well as aiding and abetting examination malpractice.

“it is gratifying to note that the examination was at no extra cost to the affected candidates.

“ A further analysis of candidates performance indicates that a total number of 29,918 obtained credit and above in English Language while a total number of 34,061 candidates obtained credit and above in Mathematics.”

The Registrar stated that year 2020 ushered in very daunting challenges essentially occasioned by COVID-19 Pandemic and ENDSARS Protests in the pursuit of the Council mandates.

He said this necessitated the rescheduling of the various examinations organised by NECO, for instance, 2020 SSCE (External) which ought to have been concluded in November/December 2020 was conducted in February/March 2021.

According to him, “in spite of these, we were not deterred rather we remained resilient and resolute in the conduct of our activities”.

The registrar reiterated the council’s commitment to conducting credible examinations to improve the quality of education in the country.

“ In view of the above, and based on approval of the Federal Ministry of Education, NECO has scheduled her public examinations for year 2021 as follows:

“National Common Entrance Examination (NCEE) for admission of JSS 1 students into Federal Unity Colleges is scheduled for May 29.

“ Senior School Certificate Examination (SSCE) Internal is scheduled from July 5 to Monday, Aug. 16.

“ Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) is scheduled for Aug. 23 to Monday, Sept. 6 in order to enable students at that level cover enough subject matter for the examination,” he said.

The registrar expressed gratitude to President Muhammadu Buhari GCFR for finding him worthy to be appointed to serve and contribute to the development of education in the country.

He, therefore, enjoined candidates to access their results on NECO website www.neco.gov.ng using their examination registration numbers.

May 6, 2021
Just in: NECO releases 2020 SSCE results

The National Examinations Council has released the 2020 Senior School Certificate Examination results.

This was disclosed by the Registrar, Professor Godswill Obioma, while speaking at the NECO headquarters in Minna, Niger State.

The registrar said four schools in Adamawa State, two in Kaduna State, two in Kastina State, two in Niger State, one in Taraba State and one in the FCT were derecognised by the Council for engaging in mass cheating.

He said the Council also blacklisted 24 supervisors who engaged in aiding and abetting, connivance with non-candidates to write answers on chalkboards and poor supervision.

Details soon…

January 13, 2021
Just In: NECO releases Common Entrance results

The Minister of Education, Adamu Adamu has announced the results of the just concluded National Common Entrance Examination (NCEE) with 24,416 candidates scaling through, scoring a minimum of 66.

Adamu, who announced the results at a news conference in Abuja on Monday, said that the total carrying capacity of the 110 unity colleges which stood at 26,625 had added additional 720 slots.

He said that the overall best student is Umeonyiagu Crucifixio, an indigene of Anambra, who scored 199 out of 200.

He said that Onwuamanan Udochukwu from Imo scored 198 and Aderemilekun Salaam from Ogun scored 197.

“As has been the tradition for decades, the admission criteria include 60 per cent on merit, 30 per cent based on states’ representation in the unity colleges and the remaining 10 per cent covers other sundry considerations.

“Consequently, in this year’s admission, the 60 per cent merit-based admission will come first, followed by the 30 per cent equality of states and 10 per cent discretion.

“I have, therefore, directed that within 72 hours of the receipt of the results, all principals are to complete both the merit based (60 per cent) and the 30 per cent of equity of states’ admission.

“ The selection meeting to be held at a designated date and venue will deal with the shopping and swapping of candidates to meet the 30 per cent states representation as much as possible,’’ Adamu said.

The minister directed the selection committee to adhere strictly to the COVID-19 protocols by following the carrying capacity of each school without exception.

According to him, this will help to avoid congestion of the classrooms thereby not rendering the children vulnerable to the pandemic.

Prof. Godswill Obioma, NECO Registrar, while presenting the result to the minister said that the examination was conducted under the supervision of external auditors.

Obioma said that 16,714 candidates were absent for the examinations due to the EndSARS protests.

“Everything was monitored, supervised by external auditors.
“I will like to say that a total of 93,929 candidates registered for the examinations out of which 70,580 sat and

16,714 were unavoidably absent.

“Following the profile of grading of marking, we will like to inform the minister that we have done the analysis based on states of domicile, origin and other considerations,’’ he said.

The NECO boss said that generally speaking the national merit cut off mark is 142 and the least score is two.

November 16, 2020
#EndSARS: NECO picks new date for commencement of suspended exams

The 2020 Senior School Certificate Examination (SSCE) Suspended by the National Examinations Council (NECO) will resume next Monday, the examination body said yesterday.

NECO announced the suspension of the examinations in the wake of the #EndSARS protests by youths seeking an end to police brutality.

The protests disrupted the movement of examination materials nationwide.

NECO’s Head of Information and Public Relations Division Azeez Sani announced the plan to restart the examinations in Abuja.

A statement by Sani reads: “The National Examinations Council (NECO) wishes to inform candidates, schools and other stakeholders of the resumption of the 2020 Senior School Certificate Examination (SSCE) in all states and the FCT from Monday, 9th of November, 2020.

“The Council was constrained to postpone the examinations indefinitely on Monday, 25th of October, 2020 due to security challenges occasioned by the ENDSARS protests, which disrupted the smooth conduct of the examinations in some parts of the country.

“Following the return of normalcy in the states and FCT, the examinations will now continue with a new time-table from Monday, 9th of November, 2020 to Saturday, 28th of November, 2020.

“This new time-table will be made available to the general public, schools and candidates from Wednesday 4th November, 2020. The time-table can also be seamlessly downloaded from the NECO official website: www.neco.gov.ng.

“The council thanks the general public and candidates for their patience and understanding during the period the SSCE was suspended. NECO assures the general public of quality service in the discharge of her statutory responsibilities at all times.”

November 3, 2020
SSCE/NECO sets deadline for registration

The National Examination Council (NECO) on Monday fixed Sept. 10 as deadline for the registration of schools and examination candidates for the 2020 Senior School Certificate Examination (SSCE).

A statement by the Registrar/Chief Executive of the council, Prof. Godswill Obioma in Abuja said the examination body would not be subject to extension of the deadline as approved by the Federal Ministry of Education.

Obioma said this was to enable efficient and effective planning for the examination logistics required for the smooth conduct of the 2020 NECO/SSCE (Internal).

He said that the 2020 NECO/SSCE (Internal) would commence on Oct. 5, and would end on Nov. 18.

“The National Examinations Council wishes to remind all stakeholders and the general public that the deadline for the registration of schools and examination candidates for the 2020 Senior School Certificate Examination (SSCE) is Thursday, Sept. 10.

“There will not be subject to extension as approved by the Federal Ministry of Education.

“This is to enable efficient and effective planning for the examination logistics required for the smooth conduct of the 2020 NECO SSCE (Internal)

“NECO hereby reminds all stakeholders and the general public that the 2020 NECO SSCE (Internal) will commence on Oct. 5, and end on Nov. 18.

“We also use this opportunity to notify all stakeholders that the schedule and Examination Time-Table for the 2020 SSCE (External) will soon be released.”

August 31, 2020
Just in: NECO announces new dates for all its examinations

Following the approval by the federal government for the reopening of schools for existing classes, the National Examination Council (NECO) has announced dates for the conduct of all its examinations, starting with the Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) on the 25the of August.

This will be immediately followed by the Senior Secondary School Certificate Examination (SSCE) slated for October 5th and will end on November 18th, 2020.

The Registrar and Chief Executive of NECO, Professor Godswill Obioma who announced this while briefing newsmen in Minna on Tuesday said the council has in line with the new dates, prepared a comprehensive examinations time table for the scheduled examinations in harmonization with the West African Examination Council (WAEC) and the National Board for Technical Education Board (NABTEB).

Recall the Federal Ministry of Education on its official website recently published the guidelines and outlined actions, measures, and requirements needed for the safe reopening of schools after the pandemic is contained.

The 52-paged communique, which was signed by the Minister of Education, Mallam Adamu Adamu, and Minister of State (Education), Hon. Chukwuemeka Nwajiuba, was developed in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Environment, Federal Ministry of Health, and health safety experts in the country.

On schools resumption, Aminu said, “Now is the time to plan and address the eventual safe reopening of schools and learning facilities. It will be recalled that at the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic in Nigeria, schools and all learning facilities were closed in order to safeguard the health and general wellbeing of our children, youths, teachers, and educational personnel.

“As a responsible government, it is also our duty to provide comprehensive guidelines for a safe and hitch-free reopening of schools and learning facilities. We do so knowing that the health, safety, and security of learners, teachers, education personnel, and families are priorities.”

August 11, 2020
Lagos Govt announces resumption date for JSS 3 students

The Lagos State Government has directed Junior Secondary School (JSS) 3 students who are registered for National Examination Council (NECO) Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) to resume on Monday.

An earlier pronouncement issued by the state had directed SS3 and Technical Studies (TEC3) Students to resume on Aug. 3, to enable them revise and sit for their forthcoming West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) and NABTEB.

The Commissioner for Education, Mrs Folashade Adefisayo, said only those students who are registered for NEC, BECE scheduled to begin on the Aug. 24 are permitted to resume.

Adefisayo also said that other JSS 3 students awaiting to write BECE organised by the Lagos State Examinations Board would soon be informed of the scheduled dates of their examination.

The commissioner said that administrators of both public and private schools are expected to ensure full compliance with the COVID-19 guidelines for schools re-opening in their respective schools.

She said that the State Government’s officials will be on ground to monitor situations in all schools across the State.

She encouraged students to be fully prepared for the forthcoming examinations and devote more time to their studies.

She urged students and members of staff to adhere strictly to proper hygienic guidelines and ensure the provision of sanitizer, wash hand basin, thermometers.

She said other essential items in public and private schools across the State, stressing that the washing of hands, wearing of face masks and the maintenance of social distancing must be adhered.

August 7, 2020