The National Examinations Council has rejected claims that Government Secondary School, Olowa, in Dekina Local Government Area of Kogi State, operates as a “miracle examination centre.” This controversy has drawn attention to NECO Kogi school policies and examination procedures in the region.
According to Vanguard, NECO issued the rebuttal on Friday. This followed comments reportedly made by the Kogi State Commissioner for Information and Communications, Kingsley Fanwo. Five people connected to the ongoing 2026 Senior School Certificate Examination were abducted from the school.
The council described the allegation as false and inconsistent with its official records.
NECO expressed sympathy for the victims. Additionally, it commended the Kogi State Government and security agencies for securing the release of the four remaining abductees.
However, it maintained that the school remains a recognised public institution. It also has a long history of presenting candidates for national examinations.
School records contradict claim
In a statement signed by its Acting Director of Information and Public Relations, Azeez Sani, NECO said the Kogi State Government owns Government Secondary School, Olowa.
The council said the school has existed for more than 40 years. It has presented candidates for the NECO Senior School Certificate Examination since 2000.
NECO also provided details about two officials involved in the abduction.
It identified the school principal, Elder Daniel Iyamaa, as a Grade Level 17 officer in the Kogi State Civil Service.
The council also said the abducted examination supervisor, Solomon Audu, is a Grade Level 12 officer employed by the state government. He was posted to Community Secondary School, Effin.
NECO rejected suggestions that the candidates at the school entered the examination irregularly.
It said all 28 candidates registered for the 2026 SSCE are genuine students. They were enrolled by Government Secondary School, Olowa, in collaboration with the Kogi State Government.
The examination body also released the school’s enrolment figures for the past five years.
According to NECO, the school presented 21 candidates in 2021, 20 in 2022, 28 in 2023, 40 in 2024 and 20 in 2025.
It added that the Kogi State Government paid the examination fees of 51 candidates from the school. This covered the recently concluded 2026 West African Senior School Certificate Examination.
NECO said the payment further confirmed the institution’s status as a recognised public secondary school.
Council cites security concerns
NECO disclosed that its Kogi State Coordinator had requested increased security at examination centres before the commencement of the 2026 SSCE.
The council said an earlier attack on Government Secondary School, Iluke, in Ijumu Local Government Area during the 2026 WAEC examination prompted the request.
It explained that the growing security threats required stronger protection for students, teachers and examination officials across the state.
NECO also reaffirmed its zero-tolerance policy toward examination malpractice under its Registrar and Chief Executive, Professor Dantani Ibrahim Wushishi.
The council said reforms introduced in recent years had reduced examination malpractice and strengthened public confidence in its examinations.
It urged public officials and other stakeholders to verify information before making statements. This helps to avoid damaging the reputation of institutions or creating unnecessary public anxiety.
