The National Examinations Council (NECO) has attributed the uninterrupted conduct of its examinations to the resilience and commitment of its workforce. Registrar of NECO, Prof. Ibrahim Dantani Wushishi, made this statement at the Council’s 2025 Annual Staff Productivity Award Ceremony in Minna, Niger state. 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 difficult security environments.
According to Wushishi, NECO’s work requires its personnel to remain constantly alert and ready to execute their responsibilities, much like the military. The council has continued to distribute examination logistics as scheduled, regardless of whether the operations were required during the day or at night. Wushishi noted that the activities of Boko Haram, banditry, kidnapping, and sit-at-home orders have never stopped NECO’s examinations.
The annual productivity awards were not merely for celebrating individual achievements, but also designed to motivate staff, improve service delivery, and promote continuous improvement across the council. The 2025 awards recognised exceptional contributions by staff and stakeholders while fostering healthy competition and a culture of better performance. Wushishi explained that the awards covered retirees, hardworking and dedicated staff across various categories.
The awards included recognition for excellent performance in various areas and special recognition for the best-performing male and female students in the 2025 examinations. Wushishi described the students as the ultimate beneficiaries of NECO’s work, saying their performance reflected hard work, discipline, and perseverance. The council remains committed to improving its processes, strengthening accountability, and maintaining the credibility of its examinations.
Wushishi urged award recipients to become models for other workers and called on all NECO personnel to embrace perseverance, teamwork, unity, and continuous self-improvement. He also acknowledged the contribution of stakeholders to the council’s operations, saying their collaboration had helped NECO meet expectations and sustain the smooth conduct of examinations across Nigeria and foreign countries.
Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Aviation, Hon. Abdullahi Idris Garba, commended NECO’s efforts to improve productivity and strengthen operational readiness. Garba stressed that the credibility of examinations depended not only on policies but largely on the commitment, competence, and integrity of the people responsible for implementing them. He urged NECO staff to allow the recognition of outstanding performance to inspire greater productivity and stronger results.
NECO honoured its Cross River State Coordinator, Miss Ruth Nnamani, as the best State Coordinator of the year, while awards for best excellence performance went to Mrs Tabitha Kopdungha from Plateau State, Mr Garba Sandy from Niger State, and Mr Rabiu Yakubu from Kaduna State. The exam body also conferred an award of certificate of service to 55 staff retirees for the year 2025 to honour their commitment and contributions.
Key points
- NECO credits its workforce resilience for uninterrupted exams amidst security challenges.
- The council’s annual productivity awards aim to motivate staff, improve service delivery, and promote continuous improvement.
- NECO honoured outstanding staff, stakeholders, and students at the 2025 Annual Staff Productivity Award Ceremony.
