The Federal Government has announced that the National Examinations Council (NECO) will commence computer-based examinations this year as part of efforts to curb examination malpractice and modernise Nigeria’s assessment system.
The Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, disclosed this on Thursday during NECO’s 25th anniversary celebration held in Abuja.
Alausa said the transition to technology-driven examinations marked a major step towards strengthening the credibility of public examinations and improving Nigeria’s global education standards.
According to Alausa, the new examination model will enable authorities to “monitor candidates in real time, detect suspicious activities and reduce examination fraud.”
“We are at the threshold of a very important reform, which NECO is spearheading, and that is the Computer-Based Examination, which is to commence this year,” the minister said.
He described NECO as a key institution in safeguarding integrity and accountability in the education sector, noting that the council had evolved into a reliable examination body over the past 25 years.
Alausa stated that NECO’s growth reflected Nigeria’s determination to establish a credible national examination system capable of providing equal opportunities for students nationwide.
He added that the examination body had “improved examination security, enhanced scoring reliability and expanded access to examinations in underserved communities while embracing technological innovations that restored public confidence in its certificates.”
The minister also stated that the Federal Ministry of Education would continue to provide the necessary oversight to ensure NECO’s examinations aligned with national educational goals and curriculum standards.
He stressed the need for educational assessments to move beyond rote learning and focus on modern skills such as critical thinking, digital literacy and problem-solving.
“As we celebrate this Silver Jubilee, may NECO and the Ministry of Education continue to work in unison, fostering trust, driving reform, and ensuring that certification remains a passport to brighter futures for all students,” he added.
In his remarks, the Registrar and Chief Executive of NECO, Prof. Dantani Wushishi, said the council had expanded its operations beyond Nigeria and was now conducting examinations in eight countries.
Wushishi described the development as evidence of increasing international acceptance of NECO certificates.
“Today, NECO stands as a benchmark for credible examinations in the region and among international peers,” Wushishi stated.
He said the council had overcome early challenges, including public scepticism, infrastructure limitations and credibility concerns, to emerge as a globally recognised examination institution.
Wushishi noted that NECO had introduced several reforms, including digital verification systems, e-certificates, e-library services and data analytics platforms.
The registrar also revealed that the council had embarked on infrastructure expansion projects, including the construction of offices in 10 states and the creation of additional zonal directorates to improve service delivery.
According to him, NECO recently acquired operational vehicles to strengthen examination logistics across the country.
Wushishi further stated that the council planned to intensify measures against examination malpractice and strengthen digital services in line with its future development agenda.
He commended former Nigerian leaders, including Generals Ibrahim Babangida, Abdulsalami Abubakar and former President Olusegun Obasanjo, for their contributions to the establishment and growth of NECO.
Participants at the event described NECO’s growth over the last 25 years as a major achievement and expressed optimism that the introduction of computer-based examinations would improve transparency and efficiency in the country’s educational assessment system.
The introduction of computer-based examinations marks a significant shift in Nigeria’s public assessment system, which has faced persistent concerns over examination malpractice, including question leaks, impersonation and collusion at examination centres.
In recent years, examination bodies such as the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board have adopted computer-based testing, with authorities citing improved security, faster result processing and reduced opportunities for fraud.
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