Abuja: Vice-President Kashim Shettima has reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to maintaining affordable national examinations while strengthening integrity, innovation, and global competitiveness in Nigeria’s assessment system. Shettima made this statement at the 25th Anniversary Celebration of the National Examinations Council (NECO) held on Thursday.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, Shettima, represented by his Senior Special Assistant on Legal and Compliance, Bashir Maidugu, emphasized the importance of credible examination systems in building quality human capital and expanding opportunities for Nigerian youths. He highlighted that the examination body should remain accessible to the ordinary child, stressing that education is the foundation of national development. Shettima stated, “A nation that invests in credible assessment systems invests directly in the quality of its human capital and the future of its society.”
Former Head of State, Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar, commended NECO for its contributions to strengthening educational assessment and promoting credibility in Nigeria’s education system over the past 25 years. Represented by former Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Amb. Zubairu Dada, Abubakar noted NECO’s influence on education policy and pedagogy through credible data generation, supporting policy decisions, resource allocation, and educational planning.
Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, acknowledged NECO’s pivotal role in Nigeria’s education development over the past 25 years. Alausa highlighted the council’s efforts in strengthening accountability, expanding access to examinations, and restoring public confidence in national certification. He also mentioned the Federal Government’s planned migration of its examinations to computer-based testing, which is expected to enhance transparency and track candidates’ activities more effectively.
NECO’s Registrar/Chief Executive, Prof. Dantani Wushishi, shared that the council’s examinations are now conducted in eight countries. He noted that NECO was established to harmonize national examinations and provide credible, reliable, and accessible certification for Nigerian learners. Wushishi highlighted the council’s achievements, including the introduction of online registration and internet-based result release, which have improved efficiency and public confidence in the system.
Wushishi also announced recent expansions, such as new offices under construction in 10 states and the development of digital platforms, including the NECO e-Verify system and data analytics facilities. He revealed plans to intensify anti-malpractice measures, expand digital certificates, strengthen international partnerships, and widen access to examinations for learners in underserved communities.
Renowned educationist Emeritus Prof. Pai Obanya from the Institute of Education, University of Ibadan, highlighted the challenges faced by education assessment in a changing world. Obanya called for collaborative relationships among examination bodies to learn from each other and emphasized the need for assessment methods that value both cognitive and non-cognitive skills.