Dantani Wushishi, registrar of the National Examination Council (NECO), says the body now conducts exams in eight countries outside Nigeria.
Wushishi spoke in Abuja on Thursday to commemorate the council’s 25th anniversary, reflecting on the council’s nearly two-decade journey and achievements.
NECO was established in April 1999 by the military regime of former head of state Abdulsalami Abubakar.
A month later, on May 29, 1999, Olusegun Obasanjo was sworn in as Nigeria’s first civilian president following years of military rule.
The NECO registrar commended Obasanjo, stating that the former president “midwifed the birth of the national council” and played an important role in the examination body’s launch.
He also praised the Niger state administration for providing “exemplary hospitality” to the council from its establishment.
Wushishi thanked previous education ministers and NECO registrars, particularly Dibu Ojerinde, who he said led the council through one of its most challenging times.
He said that Ojerinde pioneered online registration and internet-based systems, as well as a culture of timely results distribution.
According to him, the advent of online registration and results dissemination over the internet changed the game for the council, providing candidates and institutions with speed, transparency, and convenience.
“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.
“By upholding rigorous standards over time, NECO’s credentials gained wider recognition and acceptance. Through ensuring fairness across diverse candidates and maintaining consistent quality, NECO emerged as a trusted national institution.
“Today, NECO is recognised on international platforms as a credible examination body contributing to educational integrity and mobility.
“This explains why we are currently conducting examinations in eight countries, and still counting.”
The NECO registrar stated that as part of its development objectives, his administration would prioritise the continued improvement of security protocols, item banking, and anti-cheating measures to ensure the authenticity of NECO examinations.
He stated that the council would also increase electronic services, digital certificates, and data analytics to improve user experience, transparency, and decision-making.
Wushishi further stated that additional initiatives include developing cooperation with global examination bodies and investing in staff capacity development.
He stated that the council would also launch programmes to broaden its access for students in underprivileged neighborhoods, such as targeted outreach, fee schemes, and support systems.
