Nigeria’s foremost indigenous examination body, the National Examinations Council (NECO), on Thursday marked its 25th anniversary with renewed commitments to examination integrity, digital transformation, educational inclusion and global competitiveness, as top government officials and stakeholders hailed the institution’s evolution into an internationally recognised assessment authority.
The silver jubilee celebration, held at the Bola Ahmed Tinubu Conference Centre, brought together senior government officials, lawmakers, diplomats, traditional rulers, development partners, former education administrators and stakeholders from across Nigeria and beyond.
Speaking at the event, Vice President Kashim Shettima urged NECO to ensure that examination services remain affordable and accessible to every Nigerian child, regardless of social or economic background.
Represented by his Senior Special Assistant on Legal and Compliance Matters, Barrister Bashir Maidugu, the Vice President described NECO’s 25-year journey as “a profound testament to collective national resolve and our enduring faith in the Nigerian child.”
He commended the Council for embracing digital innovation to strengthen transparency, improve result processing and align its operations with global best practices in educational assessment and governance.
While acknowledging the institution’s achievements, Shettima called for deeper commitment to integrity in examination administration, enhanced security systems to safeguard examinations, and the transparent and timely release of results.
He further urged the Council to expand professional development opportunities for educators and examiners while leveraging technology, innovation and strategic partnerships to improve access to quality examinations, especially in the era of artificial intelligence.
In his keynote address, NECO Registrar and Chief Executive, Professor Dantani Ibrahim Wushishi, described the anniversary as both a celebration and a moment of institutional reflection.
“This occasion is not merely a celebration of the passage of time. It is a reflective moment to honour our journey, celebrate our achievements and reaffirm our commitment to excellence in public examination administration,” he said.
According to him, NECO emerged from Nigeria’s determination to establish a unified, credible and nationally driven examination body capable of standardising assessment systems and widening educational opportunities for students nationwide.
Professor Wushishi recalled that the Council faced skepticism, infrastructural limitations and concerns over credibility during its formative years, but overcame those challenges through reforms, transparency and professionalism.
He noted that the introduction of online registration systems, internet-based result access and timely release of results significantly improved operational efficiency and restored public confidence in the institution.
“Today, NECO is recognised on international platforms as a credible examination body, contributing to educational integrity and mobility,” he stated, disclosing that the Council currently conducts examinations in eight countries.
The Registrar credited the institution’s emergence to reforms initiated under former military President Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida, whose administration established the Centre for Educational Measurement, later transformed into the National Board for Educational Measurement before evolving into NECO.
He also acknowledged former Head of State Abdulsalami Abubakar for consolidating educational reforms that strengthened the institution’s foundation, as well as former President Olusegun Obasanjo for facilitating NECO’s operational takeoff and the enactment of the NECO Establishment Act.
Special tribute was paid to pioneer Registrar, Professor Michael Ojerinde, for laying the foundation for prompt result processing, online registration systems and internet-based result services that enhanced public trust in the Council.
Other former Registrars recognised for their contributions included Professor Promise Okpala, Professor Abdulrashid Garba and Professor Charles Uwakwe.
Professor Wushishi also expressed appreciation to the Niger State Government for hosting NECO headquarters in Minna and for providing sustained institutional support over the years.
Highlighting reforms under his administration, the Registrar disclosed that NECO has embarked on extensive infrastructural and technological upgrades, including the construction of offices in three states, the establishment of a standard laboratory at headquarters, procurement of operational vehicles and deployment of digital innovations such as the NECO e-Verify platform, digital certificates, e-library systems and a data analytics studio.
He added that the Council recently created six additional departments and six new directorates aimed at improving staff development, operational efficiency and institutional productivity.
Looking ahead, Professor Wushishi stressed the importance of strengthening examination security, expanding item banking systems and deploying stronger anti-malpractice mechanisms through the adoption of Computer-Based Examinations (CBE).
According to him, the gradual transition to computer-based testing is expected to significantly reduce examination malpractice while improving transparency, monitoring and accountability.
“We believe that by 2027, significant progress would have been made in this direction,” he said.
He further disclosed that NECO is collaborating with the Association for Educational Assessment in Africa and the International Association for Educational Assessment to harmonise standards and strengthen educational mobility for Nigerian students.
As part of activities marking the silver jubilee celebration, NECO unveiled a commemorative publication titled “25 Years of NECO: Evolution, Challenges and Contributions to Nigeria’s Educational Assessment System.”
Delivering remarks as Chief Host, Minister of Education Maruf Tunji Alausa described the anniversary as a defining moment in Nigeria’s educational development.
He said NECO was established to provide standardised, transparent and credible examinations aligned with Nigeria’s educational goals and praised the Council’s role in strengthening confidence in the country’s certification process.
According to the Minister, the Federal Ministry of Education would continue to provide strategic oversight and policy direction to ensure that NECO’s operations remain aligned with national curricula, learning outcomes and ongoing educational reforms.
Dr. Alausa particularly applauded NECO’s leadership in driving the transition to Computer-Based Examinations, describing the initiative as a transformative reform capable of curbing examination malpractice through real-time monitoring and improved security architecture.
“We are at the threshold of a very important reform, which NECO is spearheading — and that is the Computer-Based Examination (CBE), which is to commence this year,” he stated.
He also stressed the importance of integrating innovative assessment systems that promote critical thinking, creativity, digital literacy and problem-solving skills in line with 21st-century educational realities.
Chairperson of the NECO Governing Board, Professor Modupe Adeola Adelabu, described the anniversary as a celebration of resilience, sacrifice and institutional dedication.
She praised the leadership of the Education Ministry, particularly Dr. Alausa and Minister of State for Education Professor Suwaiba Sa’id Ahmad, for advancing reforms within the education sector.
According to her, NECO has consistently strengthened its institutional capacity, embraced innovation and adapted to evolving educational realities while sustaining high standards in examination administration.
Professor Adelabu reaffirmed that the Council’s guiding principles remain integrity, accountability, inclusiveness and transparency, noting that these values continue to reinforce public confidence in the institution.
She also commended teachers, school administrators, policymakers, regulatory agencies, development partners and technology providers for supporting NECO’s mandate and contributing to the growth of educational assessment in Nigeria.
Speaking on the Council’s future direction, she highlighted the importance of technological innovation, stronger data management systems and enhanced safeguarding mechanisms to further improve examination credibility and widen opportunities for Nigerian learners.
Professor Adelabu assured candidates and stakeholders that NECO would continue to uphold fairness, credible assessments and reliable support systems capable of advancing educational and career opportunities across the country.
She reaffirmed the Council’s commitment to maintaining the highest standards of examination security and fairness, expanding access to inclusive education, embracing innovation in examination delivery and strengthening institutional accountability and transparency.
She concluded by appreciating NECO staff, moderators, invigilators, officials and stakeholders whose dedication, she said, has laid a solid foundation for future generations of Nigerian scholars and professionals.
“May God bless the National Examinations Council, our partners, the Government of Nigeria and the resilient people we serve,” she said.
Elijah Adeyemi
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