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Tag: NECO

  • NECO releases 2025 SSCE External results, records 71.63% pass rate

    NECO releases 2025 SSCE External results, records 71.63% pass rate

    • Exam body blacklists supervisors, centres over alleged malpractice

    The National Examinations Council (NECO) has released the results of its 2025 Senior School Certificate Examination (SSCE) for External candidates.

    The board blacklisted five examination supervisors and recommended four centres for derecognition over examination malpractice.

    NECO’s Registrar and Chief Executive, Prof. Dantani Ibrahim Wushishi, announced this yesterday while announcing the release of the results at the council’s headquarters in Minna, Niger State.

    Wushishi said the affected supervisors include two from the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), and one each from Kano, Adamawa, and Ondo states, who were found to have aided and abetted examination malpractice.

    The NECO registrar also said four centres, two in Niger State, and one each in Yobe, and Kano states, were recommended for derecognition for their involvement in whole-centre malpractice.

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    He announced that a total of 9,016 malpractice cases were recorded during the examination, compared to 6,160 cases in 2024, representing an increase of about 31 per cent.

    Despite the challenges, Wushishi said, NECO maintained strict standards and upheld its zero tolerance for malpractice throughout the conduct of the examination and the release of the results.

    On candidates’ performance, th registrar said 96,979 candidates registered for the November/December 2025 SSCE External examination, out of which 95,160 sat for the papers. The number included 50,785 males, representing 53.36 per cent, and 44,375 females, representing 46.63 per cent.

    Wushishi stated that 93,425 candidates sat for English Language, with 73,167 candidates, representing 78.32 per cent, obtaining Credit passes and above. For Mathematics, 93,330 candidates sat for the subject, and 85,256 candidates, representing 91.36 per cent, made Credit passes and above.

    Overall, the registrar said 68,166 candidates, representing 71.63 per cent, obtained five Credits and above, including English Language and Mathematics.

    He added that 82,082 candidates, representing 86.26 per cent, secured five Credits and above irrespective of English Language and Mathematics.

    The registrar explained that the results were released 52 days after the last paper, reaffirming NECO’s commitment to timely processing and credible examinations.

    He announced that NECO was owed about N2 billion by some state governments, calling for improved support to enable the examination council sustain quality examinations across the country.

  • NECO blacklists supervisors, centres over malpractice, 71.63% candidates pass 2025 SSCE external

    NECO blacklists supervisors, centres over malpractice, 71.63% candidates pass 2025 SSCE external

    The National Examinations Council (NECO) has blacklisted five examination supervisors and recommended four centres for derecognition over examination malpractice in the 2025 Senior School Certificate Examination (SSCE) for external candidates.

    NECO’s Registrar and Chief Executive, Professor Dantani Ibrahim Wushishi, disclosed this on Tuesday while announcing the release of the results at the Council’s headquarters in Minna, Niger State.

    According to him, the affected supervisors include two from the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), and one each from Kano, Adamawa, and Ondo states, who were found to have aided and abetted examination malpractice.

    He also said four centres, two in Niger State, and one each in Yobe and Kano states, were recommended for derecognition for their involvement in whole-centre malpractice.

    Wushishi revealed that a total of 9,016 malpractice cases were recorded during the examination, compared to 6,160 cases in 2024, representing an increase of about 31 per cent.

    Despite the challenges, the Registrar said NECO maintained strict standards and upheld its zero tolerance for malpractice throughout the conduct of the examination and the release of results.

    On candidates’ performance, he said 96,979 candidates registered for the November/December 2025 SSCE External examination, out of which 95,160 actually sat for the papers. This included 50,785 males, representing 53.36 per cent, and 44,375 females, representing 46.63 per cent.

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    He explained that 93,425 candidates sat for the English Language, with 73,167 candidates, representing 78.32 per cent, obtaining credit passes and above. For Mathematics, 93,330 candidates sat for the subject, and 85,256 candidates, representing 91.36 per cent, earned credit passes and above.

    Overall, Wushishi said 68,166 candidates, representing 71.63 per cent, obtained five credits and above, including English Language and Mathematics.

    He added that 82,082 candidates, representing 86.26 per cent, secured five credits and above, irrespective of English Language and Mathematics.

    The Registrar also noted that the results were released 52 days after the last paper, reaffirming NECO’s commitment to timely processing and credible examinations.

    He further disclosed that NECO is currently owed about ₦2 billion by some state governments, calling for improved support to enable the Council sustain quality examinations across the country.

  • 1,246 students in public schools benefit from free NECO registration

    1,246 students in public schools benefit from free NECO registration

    A foreign-based indigene of Okeagbe in Akoko North West Local Government Area of Ondo State, Dr Sunday Olalere Oloruntobi, has paid the 2026 National Examinations Council (NECO) registration fees for all the 1,246 registered students in the 20 public schools across the local government area.

    Oloruntobi, according to his representative, Olumide Victor Aliu, made the payment as part of his contributions to the development of the grassroots.

    “The gesture was meant to put smiles on the faces of our  people and give back to the community where he was raised.

    “The programmes as designed by Dr Oloruntobi are in three different phases. The first is the payment of the registration fees for NECO for all the registered students in all the 20 public secondary schools in the local government,” Aliu explained.

    The other two phases are the payment of N1m each to 105 people to support and promote the local businesses in Okeagbe-Akoko, totaling over N105m and a monthly stipend of ⁠N10,000 for more than 100 elderly people and widows in Okeagbe-Akoko, totalling N1m every month.

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    Speaking on the impact of the gesture, Aliu said the program has taken a huge burden off the parents of the students, most of who are subsistence farmers are traders surviving on the meagre earnings.

    He described Oloruntobi as a kind-hearted and an illustrious son who has refused to forget his background.

    “Dr Oloruntobi is an illustrious son of the local government. He is very much allied to the welfare of our people and decided to help ease the pains of our people. By embarking on this huge empowerment programme  in our local government, he has proved that we can develop the local communities by contributing our quota.”

    He added that Dr. Sunday Olalere Oloruntobi  remains committed to contributing his quota to community development and supporting humanitarian initiatives in the local Govt.

  • Fed govt unveils measures to curb malpractices in NECO, WAEC, other exams

    Fed govt unveils measures to curb malpractices in NECO, WAEC, other exams

    The federal government has announced new measures to curb examination malpractice in the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) and National Examinations Council (NECO) examinations.

    The government said the measures are part of ongoing reforms to strengthen credibility, transparency, and public confidence in Nigeria’s assessment system.

    Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa, and the Minister of State for Education, Suwaiba Said Ahmed, announced the measures in a statement signed by the Director, Press and Public Relations of the ministry, Boriowo Folasade, on Monday in Abuja.

    The minister stated that the Federal Ministry of Education was intensifying oversight and deploying targeted strategies to safeguard the integrity of national examinations.

    Among the key measures is the introduction of enhanced question randomisation and serialisation mechanisms.

    While all candidates will answer the same examination questions, the sequencing and arrangement will differ for each candidate, ensuring that every student writes a unique version of the examination and significantly reducing opportunities for collusion.

    The ministry also reaffirmed its strict policy prohibiting the transfer of candidates at the Senior Secondary School Three (SS3) level.

    It said this directive, already communicated through an official circular, will be rigorously enforced to prevent last-minute school changes often associated with examination malpractice.

    “To further ensure transparency, new national Continuous Assessment guidelines have been developed for immediate implementation. All examination bodies (WAEC, NECO, NBAIS etc) must strictly follow the standardized submission deadlines for each academic period:

    Submission Windows

    •             First Term CA: January

    •             Second Term CA: April

    •             Third Term CA: August

    “These timelines are mandatory and designed to ensure consistency, data integrity, and prompt processing of Continuous Assessment records across the country.

    “In addition, the Federal Ministry of Education is introducing a unique Examination Learners’ Identity Number for all candidates. This identifier will enable effective tracking of learners throughout the examination process, strengthen monitoring and accountability, and support long-term reforms in assessment, certification, and data management,” the statement said.

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    The ministers assured stakeholders that examination administration will be conducted under strengthened supervision and coordination with relevant examination bodies to ensure strict compliance with established guidelines and ethical standards.

    They emphasized that these measures reflected the Federal Government’s resolve to conduct examinations that are credible, fair, and reflective of global best practices, while addressing Nigeria’s unique educational realities.

    The ministry reaffirmed its commitment to working closely with all examination bodies, state governments, school administrators, parents, and candidates to ensure the successful implementation of these strategies and the smooth conduct of the 2026 examinations nationwide.

  • NECO Registrar Prof. Wushishi loses father

    NECO Registrar Prof. Wushishi loses father

    The Registrar of National Examinations Council (NECO), Prof. Dantani Wushishi has lost his father.

    Alhaji Ibrahim Wushishi, a community leader in Wushishi Local Government Area of Niger died on Saturday. 

    He was 106 years old.

    The announcement was made in a statement in Abuja on Saturday by the acting Director, Information and Public Relations, National Examinations Council (NECO), Azeez Sani.

    Sani released the statement on behalf of the NECO Registrar, Prof Wushishi, son of the deceased. 

    The late Wushishi was survived by 12 children, 60 grandchildren and 15 great grandchildren, among whom is Wushishi.

    He had since been buried according to islamic rites.

  • NECO accredits schools in Burkina Faso for SSCE, BECE

    NECO accredits schools in Burkina Faso for SSCE, BECE

    National Examinations Council has granted accreditation to schools in Burkina Faso to conduct its examinations, thus widening the examination body’s international footprint.

    NECO spoke in a statement yesterday in Abuja by Acting Director of Information and Public Relations, Azeez Sani.

    The statement said the council would now conduct Senior School Certificate Examination (SSCE) and Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) in the country.

    It said the move followed a comprehensive assessment visit by a NECO accreditation team to selected schools in the West African country.

    The statement reads: “During the visit, the team inspected classrooms, laboratories, libraries, computer laboratories, workshops, examination halls, sports facilities, and security architecture.

    “They reviewed the schools’ Continuous Assessment (CA), records, teacher adequacy, and learning environment to determine suitability for NECO examinations.

    “After ‘a thorough and detailed evaluation’, the schools were granted full accreditation to host the SSCE and BECE.”

    It noted the expansion into Burkina Faso underscored NECO’s commitment to delivering quality education and assessment  beyond Nigeria.

    “With its expanding global presence, NECO is poised to become a leading examination body in Africa, offering opportunities for Nigerian students and other foreign nationals to benefit from its expertise,” the statement added.

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    NECO recalled establishment of an examination centre in London, UK, adding to centres in Togo, Benin, Niger, Equatorial Guinea, Côte d’Ivoire, and Saudi Arabia.

    Nigeria’s Ambassador to Burkina Faso, M. D. Galadima, hailed NECO for the expansion, saying it is a relief for Nigerian families in the country.

    Galadima said parents had grappled with challenges arising from differences in educational systems and the lack of English language schools.

    “Parents take their children to Saki, Oyo State, to register and write the examination, exposing pupils and parents to security risks and imposing burdens on families and school proprietors,” he said.

    The envoy said the accreditation would eliminate these risks and reduce financial strain on parents.

    Galadima urged the Nigerian community in Burkina Faso to register their children for NECO examinations.

    Leader of the accreditation team, Dr Uche Ezenwanne, said the move would enable Nigerian students living in Burkina Faso to write the SSCE and BECE without having to travel back to Nigeria.

    This move, he said, would reinforce NECO’s position as Africa’s foremost examination body.

  • NECO accredits schools in Burkina Faso for SSCE, BECE

    The National Examinations Council (NECO) has granted accreditation to schools in Burkina Faso to host its examinations, widening its international footprint.

    The examination body announced the expansion in a statement signed by its Acting Director of Information and Public Relations, Azeez Sani, on Sunday in Abuja.

    According to the statement, the council would now begin to conduct the Senior School Certificate Examination (SSCE) and the Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) in the West African country.

    It said the move followed a comprehensive assessment visit by a NECO accreditation team to selected schools in the West African country.

    The statement reads, “During the visit, the team evaluated the readiness of the institutions by inspecting classrooms, laboratories, libraries, computer labs, workshops, examination halls, sports facilities, and security architecture.

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    “They also reviewed the schools’ Continuous Assessment, CA, records, teacher adequacy, and general learning environment to determine suitability for NECO examinations.

    “After what was described as a thorough and detailed evaluation, the schools were granted full accreditation to host the SSCE and BECE.”

    The statement noted that the expansion into Burkina Faso underscored NECO’s commitment to delivering quality education and assessment services beyond Nigeria’s borders.

    “With its expanding global presence, NECO is poised to become a leading examination body in Africa, offering opportunities for Nigerian students and other foreign nationals worldwide to benefit from its expertise,” the statement added.

    The council recalled the recent establishment of an examination centre in London, United Kingdom, adding to existing centres in Togo, Benin Republic, Niger Republic, Equatorial Guinea, Côte d’Ivoire, and Saudi Arabia.

    Meanwhile, Nigeria’s Ambassador to Burkina Faso, Amb. M.D. Galadima commended NECO for the expansion, describing it as a relief for Nigerian families in the country.

    Galadima revealed that parents had long grappled with challenges arising from differences in educational systems and the lack of English language schools.

    “Previously, parents had to take their children to Saki, Oyo State, to register and write the examination, exposing students and parents to security risks and imposing heavy financial burdens on families and school proprietors,” he said.

    He added that the accreditation would eliminate these risks and reduce financial strain on parents.

    The ambassador urged the Nigerian community in Burkina Faso to take advantage of the opportunity by registering their children for the NECO examinations.

    Leader of the accreditation team, Dr Uche Ezenwanne, said the move would enable Nigerian students living in Burkina Faso to write SSCE and BECE without traveling back to Nigeria.

    This move, he said, would reinforce NECO’s position as Africa’s foremost examination body.

  • NECO opens UK exam centre for Nigerians in diaspora

    NECO opens UK exam centre for Nigerians in diaspora

    The National Examinations Council (NECO) has announced the establishment of a new examination centre in London, United Kingdom (UK).

    The examination body said the new centre is a part of its global expansion drive to provide credible assessment opportunities for Nigerians in the diaspora.

    Its Registrar and Chief Executive, Prof. Dantani Ibrahim Wushishi, unveiled the centre during the Education Matters Conference UK 2025.

    He said the initiative was developed in partnership with Barnfield Education Limited.

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    In a statement yesterday by NECO’s acting Director of Information and Public Relations, Azeez Sani, the registrar said: “The initiative aims to provide opportunities for Nigerian students and adult learners in the UK who, for various reasons, have been unable to complete secondary education or obtain equivalent qualifications.

    “Our objective is to provide credible and accessible examination opportunities for Nigerians residing abroad in line with the Federal Government’s education policy on inclusivity and global engagement.”

    The NECO chief described the new Senior School Certificate Examination (SSCE) centre as a strategic step towards extending NECO’s global footprint.

    He added that the council now administers examinations in seven countries, including Saudi Arabia, with new centres awaiting accreditation in Egypt and Burkina Faso.

    Wushishi explained that the London centre would empower Nigerians abroad, promote national pride, and strengthen the global recognition of NECO certificates, which are already accepted by several UK universities, including Birmingham City University and Leeds Trinity University, as well as institutions in the United States, Canada, India, China, and Russia.

    The Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, praised NECO for the initiative, describing it as a crucial step towards ensuring that “no Nigerian child, at home or abroad, is left behind”.

    Alausa said the move aligned with the Federal Ministry of Education’s goal of leveraging the diaspora as a vital educational resource.

    The statement added that the Director of BEP Education and NECO’s UK partner, Dr. John Ibanga, said the new centre would serve as an alternative pathway for Nigerian students in the UK who face challenges within the British education system, particularly those unable to obtain the General Certificate of Secondary Education.

    Ibanga said: “Many Nigerian children encounter barriers in the UK system that limit their progression.

    “This new NECO SSCE Centre provides a recognised alternative for both young learners and adults seeking academic or vocational advancement.”

    The statement said during a visit to the Nigerian High Commission in London, Wushishi briefed the Mission on the establishment and accreditation of the new centre.

    The registrar stated that the UK remained a strategic hub for expanding educational access to Nigerians abroad.

    The Head of Political Affairs at the Mission, Ambassador Eche Abu-Obe, lauded NECO’s move as a “timely and commendable effort” consistent with Nigeria’s policy on educational inclusivity and diaspora engagement.

    Abu-Obe added: “The Mission will collaborate with NECO to advance Nigeria’s educational and developmental objectives in the United Kingdom.”

  • NECO opens UK exam centre for Nigerians in Diaspora

    NECO opens UK exam centre for Nigerians in Diaspora

    The National Examinations Council (NECO) has announced the establishment of a new examination centre in London, United Kingdom, as part of its global expansion drive to provide credible assessment opportunities for Nigerians in the diaspora.

    Registrar and Chief Executive of NECO, Prof. Dantani Ibrahim Wushishi, who unveiled the centre during the Education Matters Conference UK 2025, said the initiative was developed in partnership with Barnfield Education Ltd.

    In a statement on Sunday by NECO’s Acting Director of Information and Public Relations, Azeez Sani, the Registrar said: “The initiative aims to provide opportunities for Nigerian students and adult learners in the UK who, for various reasons, have been unable to complete secondary education or obtain equivalent qualifications.

    “Our objective is to provide credible and accessible examination opportunities for Nigerians residing abroad in line with the Federal Government’s education policy on inclusivity and global engagement.”

    The NECO chief described the new Senior School Certificate Examination centre as a strategic step toward extending NECO’s global footprint, adding that the Council now administers examinations in seven countries, including Saudi Arabia, with new centres awaiting accreditation in Egypt and Burkina Faso.

    Wushishi noted that the London centre would empower Nigerians abroad, promote national pride, and strengthen the global recognition of NECO certificates, which are already accepted by several UK universities, including Birmingham City University and Leeds Trinity University, as well as institutions in the United States, Canada, India, China, and Russia.

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    Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, commended NECO for the initiative, describing it as a crucial step toward ensuring that “no Nigerian child, at home or abroad, is left behind.”

    Alausa said the move aligned with the Federal Ministry of Education’s goal of leveraging the diaspora as a vital educational resource.

    The statement added that the Director of BEP Education and NECO’s UK partner, Dr John Ibanga, said the new centre would serve as an alternative pathway for Nigerian students in the UK who face challenges within the British education system, particularly those unable to obtain the General Certificate of Secondary Education.

    Ibanga said: “Many Nigerian children encounter barriers in the UK system that limit their progression.

    “This new NECO SSCE Centre provides a recognised alternative for both young learners and adults seeking academic or vocational advancement.”

    During a courtesy visit to the Nigerian High Commission in London, the statement noted that the Registrar briefed the Mission on the establishment and accreditation of the new centre, stressing that the UK remains a strategic hub for expanding educational access to Nigerians abroad.

    Responding, the Head of Political Affairs at the Mission, Ambassador Eche Abu-Obe, praised NECO’s move as a “timely and commendable effort” consistent with Nigeria’s policy on educational inclusivity and diaspora engagement.

    Abu-Obe added: “The Mission will collaborate with NECO to advance Nigeria’s educational and developmental objectives in the United Kingdom.”

  • Reps to probe alleged illegal virement by NECO

    Reps to probe alleged illegal virement by NECO

    The House of Representatives has instructed its committee on Basic Examination Bodies to investigate alleged unauthorised virement and the implementation of the budget/IGR performance of the National Examination Council (NECO) from 2023 to date.

    In a resolution on Thursday following an urgent motion by Amobi Ogah, the House directed the committee to examine NECO’s bank statements of account from 2023 to date.

    Moving the motion, Sections 88 and 89 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), grant the National Assembly or its committee’s inherent power to summon or request documents from any government ministry, agency, or parastatal.

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    He said NECO, as an agency of government, generates IGR for the federation; it therefore behoves it to be accountable to Nigerians.

    He said that in carrying out its mandate effectively, the National Assembly or the relevant committee must have access to the NECO’s budget/IGR performance and implementation from 2023 to date, and must also peruse NECO’s bank statements of account from 2023 to date NECO must also provide evidence of remittance to the federation account for the same period (2023- to date).

    He expressed concern that NECO is allegedly implementing its virement without the required legislative approval, adding that if this is so, it is a flagrant violation of our constitution and inherent powers of this Honourable House as enshrined in it.