In a significant milestone for the National Examinations Council (NECO), the Registrar and Chief Executive, Professor Dantani Wushishi, announced that over 35 million candidates have participated in its examinations over the past quarter-century. The disclosure was made during the council’s 25th anniversary gala and awards ceremony held in Minna.
NECO was established on July 10, 1999, following persistent calls for a reliable and locally oriented assessment body. The cumulative figure of 35 million candidates encompasses those who sat for the Senior School Certificate Examination (SSCE) and other assessments conducted by the council.
Professor Wushishi highlighted that NECO’s creation was a response to recommendations from various government panels between 1977 and 1997, which consistently emphasized the need for a national examination body.
The anniversary event also honored Emeritus Professor Dibu Ojerinde, who served as NECO’s first registrar from 1999 to 2007 and later as JAMB registrar. He received a Lifetime Achievement Award for his foundational role in shaping the council.
In recognition of outstanding performance, NECO acknowledged schools and states based on their SSCE Internal examination results since inception. Dority International Early Learning School was named the top-performing secondary school, followed by Federal Government Academy and Air Force Comprehensive School.
Among states, Bayelsa was recognized for having the highest percentage of candidates achieving five credits or more, while Lagos State was lauded for registering the largest number of candidates for NECO exams. Ogun, Edo, Kaduna, and Oyo states also received commendations for various performance metrics.
Looking ahead, Professor Wushishi stated that NECO will continue refining its processes and embracing technology to enhance examination administration and uphold standards.