The Federal Government has announced that the National Examinations Council (NECO) is at the forefront of ongoing reforms in the education sector, with plans to commence Computer-Based Examinations (CBE) later in the year.
Speaking on Thursday in Abuja during the council’s 25th anniversary and silver jubilee celebration, the Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, said the new examination model would help address examination malpractice through improved monitoring systems and technology-driven supervision.
According to him, the CBE system will be capable of detecting suspicious behaviour during examinations, tracking candidates’ activities in real time, and strengthening overall assessment integrity.
Alausa said NECO has remained a key institution in maintaining standards in external examinations, ensuring that certificates issued reflect genuine academic competence and readiness for future opportunities.
He noted that Nigeria must continue to adopt modern assessment methods that reflect 21st-century skills such as critical thinking, problem-solving, and digital literacy, while still upholding academic rigour.
“The inception of NECO was rooted in the desire to create a strong, unified national examination body to oversee standardised assessments for national public examinations.
”NECO’s mandate encompassed the conduct of credible external examinations, certification of attainment, and alignment with national educational objectives,” he said.
“The Council’s early emphasis on secure examination administration, reliable scoring, and timely results helped restore public confidence in national certification.
”The adoption of Technology-driven processes, such as secure data management, electronic results where feasible, and robust moderation systems strengthened integrity and efficiency.
“NECO continues to serve as the standard-bearer for external examinations, ensuring that certificates reflect genuine mastery and readiness for subsequent opportunities.
”NECO remains committed to widening access, addressing disparities, and ensuring that learners from all backgrounds have a fair chance to demonstrate their competencies.
“By communicating clearly with schools, parents, educators, and learners, we reinforce trust in NECO’s processes and the value of certification.
”The Silver Jubilee invites us to celebrate what NECO has achieved, especially in equity, transparency, and the use of data to inform policy decisions.
“We must explore innovative assessment approaches that reflect 21st-century competencies, such as critical thinking, problem-solving, and digital literacy, while maintaining rigorous standards.
”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.
”This will go a long way in curbing the menace of Examination malpractice due to its ability to track and detect suspicious activity and also provide real-time monitoring of candidates, ” he added.
Also speaking at the event, the Registrar/Chief Executive of NECO, Professor Dantani Ibrahim Wushishi, said the council was established as a bold effort to strengthen and harmonise national examinations, but faced early challenges including limited public confidence, infrastructure gaps, and concerns over assessment credibility.
He said the anniversary was an opportunity to reflect on achievements and renew commitment to transparency, credibility, and excellence in examination administration.
“This occasion is not merely a celebration of the passage of time; it is a reflective moment to honor our journey, celebrate our achievements, and reaffirm our commitment to excellence in public examination administration,” Wushishi said.
He explained that NECO built its foundation on accountability, timely release of results, and consistent standards that allowed candidates to rely on a fair examination process.
He also highlighted the introduction of online registration and digital result release systems as a major milestone that improved efficiency, transparency, and access for candidates and institutions.
“This shift not only improved operational efficiency but also reinforced public trust in NECO as a responsive and contemporary examination body, both within Nigeria and beyond its borders,” he said.
Wushishi added that NECO has gained international recognition for maintaining quality standards and fairness in examinations, noting that the body now conducts examinations in eight countries.
He further stated that sustained government support has enabled the council to operate effectively, strengthen credibility, and contribute meaningfully to national education development.
“The government’s sustained support has ensured that NECO operates in a conducive environment, enabling us to fulfill our mandate with efficiency and integrity,” he said.
He concluded that NECO’s progress reflects the vision of its founders, who sought to establish a transparent and reliable examination system to support human capital development in Nigeria.
