The National Examinations Council has revealed that over 35 million candidates have participated in its various examinations since its establishment 25 years ago, highlighting the council’s expanding influence on educational assessment and national development.
Registrar and Chief Executive of NECO, Prof. Dantani Wushishi, disclosed this during the Gala and Awards Night held in Abuja on Thursday as part of activities commemorating the council’s silver jubilee anniversary.
Speaking on the theme “Celebrating 25 Years of NECO’s Excellence in Educational Assessment,” Wushishi said the council was established on July 10, 1999, following sustained public demand for a credible, efficient, and nationally responsive examination body.
According to him, NECO emerged from the recommendations of several government panels and committees set up between 1977 and 1997, all of which emphasised the urgent need for a homegrown examination institution capable of addressing Nigeria’s educational realities.
“Over the last 25 years, our work has touched the lives of almost 35 million Nigerians through various examinations. This reflects the trust reposed in NECO and our unwavering commitment to fairness, credibility, and integrity in examination administration,” he stated.
A major highlight of the event was the conferment of NECO’s highest honour, the Lifetime Achievement Award, on former Registrar of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board, Emeritus Professor Dibu Ojerinde, who served as NECO’s pioneer registrar from 1999 to 2007.
NECO also honoured outstanding schools and states for exceptional performances in the Senior School Certificate Examination since its inception. Dority International Early Learning School emerged as the overall best-performing secondary school, while Bayelsa State was recognised for recording the highest percentage of candidates with five credits and above. Lagos State Governor received recognition for recording the highest number of registered candidates in NECO SSCE internal examinations since inception.
