NECO Marks 25 Years, Rolls Out Computer-Based Exams for Global Reach

The federal government says the National Examinations Council (NECO) is set to introduce Computer-Based Examinations (CBE) later this year as part of ongoing reforms aimed at tightening the integrity of national testing. The announcement came on Thursday in Abuja during NECO's 25th anniversary, or silver jubilee, celebration. Speaking as chief host, Minister of Education Dr Tunji Alausa said the shift to computer-based testing would help curb examination malpractice, citing the format's ability to flag suspicious activity and monitor candidates in real time. Alausa described NECO as a benchmark institution for external examinations, one built to ensure certificates genuinely reflect candidates' mastery and readiness for further opportunities. He said the council was founded to create a unified national body capable of overseeing standardised assessments, with an early focus on secure administration, dependable scoring and prompt results — factors he credited with rebuilding public trust in national certification over the years. Looking ahead, the minister called for fresh approaches to assessment that capture skills relevant to the present era, including critical thinking, problem-solving and digital literacy, while still holding the line on rigorous standards. He framed the coming rollout of CBE as a major step in that direction. Also speaking at the event, NECO's Registrar/Chief Executive, Prof Dantani Ibrahim Wushishi, reflected on the council's early struggles, including limited public confidence, inadequate infrastructure, and doubts over the reliability of its assessments. He said NECO worked to build credibility through consistent procedures and timely results, later introducing online registration and internet-based result checking — a change he described as a turning point that brought greater speed, transparency and convenience for candidates and institutions alike. Wushishi noted that NECO's reputation has since grown beyond Nigeria's borders, with the council now conducting examinations in eight countries. He attributed this international standing to the council's adherence to global best practices in areas such as assessment design, data security and stakeholder engagement, alongside continued collaboration with regional and international partners. Both officials credited government backing and the contributions of NECO's founders for enabling the council to operate effectively and sustain public confidence over the past two and a half decades. Source: Federal Ministry of Education / NECO 25th anniversary event (summarized and rewritten).