Alausa celebrates NECO’s legacy @ 25, pushes digital exam reforms
By Uji A Iliyasu, Abuja
The Minister of Education, Maruf Tunji Alausa, has hailed the 25-year journey of the National Examinations Council (NECO) as a remarkable story of credibility, innovation, fairness, and national service.
Speaking at the Silver Jubilee of NECO held at the Bola Ahmed Tinubu Conference Centre on Thursday, Alausa said the Council has played a critical role in strengthening Nigeria’s education system through credible and accessible national examinations.
The Minister said NECO was established to create a unified national examination body capable of conducting standardized assessments and ensuring reliable certification for Nigerian learners. He noted that from inception, the Council focused on secure examination administration, reliable scoring systems, timely release of results, and nationwide accessibility.
Alausa stated that over the years, NECO expanded examination centres across the country, enabling learners from different regions to participate under fair conditions. He added that investments in examiner training, psychometrics, item development, and quality assurance helped strengthen public confidence in national certification.
The Minister also highlighted the adoption of technology-driven processes by NECO, including secure data management systems, electronic result processing, and improved moderation mechanisms, all aimed at enhancing efficiency and integrity.
He reaffirmed the Federal Ministry of Education’s commitment to providing policy direction and oversight to ensure NECO examinations remain aligned with national curricula, learning outcomes, and educational standards.
Looking ahead, Alausa described the introduction of Computer-Based Examinations (CBE) by NECO as one of the Council’s most important reforms, adding that the initiative, scheduled to commence this year, will significantly curb examination malpractice through real-time monitoring and detection of suspicious activities.
The Minister stressed the need for innovative assessment methods that reflect 21st-century skills such as critical thinking, problem-solving, and digital literacy while maintaining high standards.
He further called for stronger collaboration between NECO and the Ministry of Education to sustain transparency, accountability, and improved learning outcomes across the country.
Alausa expressed appreciation to NECO’s founding leadership, staff, teachers, examiners, school administrators, and other stakeholders for their dedication to preserving the integrity of Nigeria’s examination system.
He concluded by reaffirming government’s commitment to building a fair, inclusive, credible, and future-ready national examination system capable of providing brighter opportunities for Nigerian students.