NECO @ 25: From national mandate to global recognition
By Uji A Iliyasu, Abuja
The Registrar and Chief Executive of the National Examinations Council, Prof. Dantani Ibrahim Wushishi, has described the Council’s 25-year journey as a story of resilience, credibility, innovation, and national service, as NECO marked its Silver Jubilee in Abuja on Thursday.
Speaking at the Bola Ahmed Tinubu Conference Centre, Wushishi said the anniversary was not just a celebration of time but an opportunity to reflect on NECO’s achievements and recommit to excellence in public examination administration.
He paid tribute to renowned educationist Pius Augustine Ike Obanya for serving as keynote speaker and acknowledged his mentorship and contributions to inclusive and transformative education.
The Registrar also recognised the presence of the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Abbas Tajudeen, alongside the Minister of Education, Maruf Tunji Alausa, and Minister of State for Education, Suwaiba Said Ahmad.
Wushishi appreciated international education assessment leaders, including Mafu S. Rakometsi of South Africa and Eshetu Kebede of Ethiopia, describing their attendance as evidence of growing international confidence in NECO.
Reflecting on the Council’s early years, he recalled that NECO faced major challenges, including low public trust, infrastructural gaps, and concerns over examination credibility. However, he said the Council gradually earned public confidence through transparent processes, timely release of results, and consistent standards.
He said the introduction of online registration and internet-based result services transformed examination administration by improving speed, transparency, and accessibility.
“Today, NECO is recognised on international platforms as a credible examination body contributing to educational integrity and mobility,” he said, adding that the Council currently conducts examinations in eight countries.
Wushishi traced NECO’s roots to reforms initiated under former military President Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida, whose administration established the Centre for Educational Measurement, which later evolved into NECO.
He also acknowledged the contributions of former Head of State Abdulsalami Abubakar and former President Olusegun Obasanjo in consolidating reforms and facilitating the Council’s establishment.
The Registrar expressed gratitude to the Niger State Government and host communities in Minna for supporting NECO since inception.
He also honoured former Registrars, including Dibu Ojerinde, Promise N. Okpala, Abdulrashid Garba, Charles B. Uwakwe, and Abubakar M. Gana for their contributions to the Council’s growth.
Highlighting recent achievements, Wushishi disclosed that NECO is constructing offices in 10 states, building a standard science laboratory, expanding digital services, and strengthening examination security.
He reaffirmed NECO’s commitment to integrity, fairness, accessibility, and innovation, while also announcing the unveiling of a commemorative book titled “Twenty-Five Years of NECO: Evolution, Challenges and Contributions to Nigeria’s Educational Assessment System.”