Prof. Ibrahim Dantani Wushishi, Registrar of the National Examinations Council (NECO), has stated that the council has never been deterred by security threats in carrying out its responsibilities across Nigeria. He made this statement at the Council's 2025 Annual Staff Productivity Award Ceremony in Minna, Niger State. The ceremony honored top-performing staff, state coordinators, retirees, and best-performing students. Wushishi attributed NECO's uninterrupted examinations to its workforce's resilience and commitment.
Wushishi described NECO employees as the "army of NECO," citing their round-the-clock commitment that has enabled the council to sustain its examination operations despite challenges. He mentioned that the nature of NECO's work requires personnel to remain constantly alert and ready to execute their responsibilities, much like the military. The Registrar noted that NECO's operations have continued without interruption, even during difficult security environments such as the Boko Haram insurgency, banditry, kidnapping, and sit-at-home orders.
According to Wushishi, NECO has continued to distribute examination logistics as scheduled, regardless of the time of day or night. He drew a parallel between NECO's operations and those of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, who also carry out their security functions day or night. The Registrar praised NECO's workforce, saying, "So, the army of NECO, I salute you."
The annual productivity awards aim to motivate staff, improve service delivery, and promote continuous improvement across the council. Wushishi explained that the 2025 awards recognized exceptional contributions by staff and stakeholders while fostering healthy competition and a culture of better performance. The awards covered various categories, including retirees, hardworking staff, state coordinators, and outstanding students.
The ceremony also honored NECO's Cross River State Coordinator, Miss Ruth Nnamani, as the best State Coordinator of the year. Other award recipients included Mrs. Tabitha Kopdungha from Plateau State, Mr. Garba Sandy from Niger State, and Mr. Rabiu Yakubu from Kaduna State. The exam body also conferred a certificate of service to 55 staff retirees for their commitment and contributions.
The National Examinations Council (NECO) also recognized outstanding students who performed excellently in the 2025 examinations. Akai Bernice Kuyet and Eke Felix Emenike from School Sense Barnawa, Kaduna State, won the senior school certificate examination awards for female and male categories, respectively. Similarly, Miss Michael Daniela Chiamaka of Christland High School Ikeja, Lagos, and Mr. Salihu Amir Umar of Kadwel International Schools Kaduna, won the Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) awards.
The NECO Staff Productivity Awards is an annual program that recognizes and celebrates exceptional contributions by staff and stakeholders. The Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Aviation, Hon. Abdullahi Idris Garba, commended the ceremony, describing it as a demonstration of recognition and commitment aimed at encouraging excellence, hard work, discipline, and continuous improvement within NECO.
Key points
- NECO's workforce resilience and commitment have enabled uninterrupted examinations despite security threats.
