The Federal Government has reaffirmed its commitment to supporting reforms aimed at making national examinations more affordable, transparent and globally competitive as part of broader efforts to strengthen Nigeria’s education sector and human capital development. This assurance was given on Thursday by Kashim Shettima during the 25th anniversary celebration of the National Examinations Council (NECO) held in Abuja.
The Vice President, who was represented at the event by his Senior Special Assistant on Legal and Compliance, Bashir Maidugu, said credible assessment systems remained critical to shaping the future of Nigerian youths and building a more competitive nation. According to him, the administration of Bola Ahmed Tinubu is determined to create an enabling environment for educational institutions to flourish while also improving the integrity and quality of public examinations across the country.
Shettima stressed that affordable and credible examination systems would help expand educational opportunities for millions of Nigerian students and equip them to compete favourably in the global knowledge economy. He noted that examination bodies such as NECO play a strategic role in national development because they serve as gatekeepers in the educational process and help determine the future of young Nigerians. The Vice President said the Federal Government recognised the importance of restoring confidence in examination systems through transparency, innovation and accountability.
He explained that improving the standard of national examinations would contribute significantly to the overall quality of education and produce graduates capable of driving economic growth and national transformation. According to him, the Tinubu administration considers investment in education and human capital development as essential pillars for achieving long-term national progress. Shettima also commended NECO for its contributions over the past 25 years in expanding access to examinations and supporting the educational aspirations of Nigerian students.
He acknowledged the challenges faced by examination bodies, including issues relating to examination malpractice, logistics, infrastructure and technological adaptation, but expressed confidence that reforms and collaboration would help address such concerns. The Vice President urged stakeholders in the education sector to continue working together to strengthen public trust in examination systems and ensure fairness for all candidates. He further emphasised the need for innovation and digital transformation in examination administration to meet global standards and improve efficiency.
Observers at the event noted that the government’s renewed focus on examination reforms comes at a time when concerns over examination malpractice, rising educational costs and declining standards remain major issues within the sector. Education experts have repeatedly called for stronger measures to safeguard the credibility of public examinations while also making them more accessible to students from disadvantaged backgrounds.
Many stakeholders believe that improving the integrity of examination processes is vital to restoring confidence in Nigeria’s educational system both locally and internationally. The anniversary celebration also provided an opportunity for education administrators, policymakers and stakeholders to reflect on NECO’s journey since its establishment. Founded in 1999, NECO was created to provide an indigenous examination body responsible for conducting senior secondary school examinations and other assessments nationwide.
Over the years, the council has become one of the country’s major examination institutions, conducting examinations for millions of candidates annually. Participants at the anniversary event highlighted the role played by the council in broadening access to educational assessment and supporting national educational objectives. There were also calls for increased investment in technology, training and infrastructure to enable the council to respond effectively to emerging global trends in examination management.
Some speakers stressed the need to strengthen measures against examination malpractice, describing integrity and fairness as essential to maintaining the value of educational certificates. Others advocated improved welfare and capacity building for teachers and examination officials involved in administering assessments across the country. The Federal Government’s latest pledge is expected to boost ongoing conversations around educational reforms and the future direction of public examination systems in Nigeria.
Analysts say sustained reforms in the sector could help improve learning outcomes, reduce inequality in access to education and better prepare Nigerian students for international opportunities.
As NECO marks its silver jubilee anniversary, stakeholders say the focus must now shift toward consolidating gains, embracing innovation and ensuring that examination systems remain credible, inclusive and globally relevant.
