By Ngozi Nwankwo
National Examinations Council has attributed its uninterrupted conduct of examinations despite security challenges to the resilience and commitment of its workforce.
The Registrar of NECO, Prof. Ibrahim Dantani Wushishi, stated this on Wednesday in Minna, Niger State, at the council’s 2025 Annual Staff Productivity Award Ceremony.
Wushishi described NECO employees as the “army of NECO,” saying their round-the-clock commitment had sustained the council’s operations in difficult security environments.
“During the heydays of Boko Haram, the activities of Boko Haram have never stopped NECO’s examination. Banditry has never stopped NECO examination. Kidnapping has never stopped NECO examination. Sit-at-home order has never stopped NECO examination,” he said.
He said the council had continued to distribute examination logistics as scheduled, whether during the day or at night.
“These are what the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria do during their activities or any time they are detailed to carry out security functions. So, the army of NECO, I salute you,” he said.
Wushishi said the annual productivity awards were not merely for celebrating individual achievements but designed to motivate staff, improve service delivery and promote continuous improvement.
He said the 2025 edition recognised exceptional contributions by staff and stakeholders while fostering healthy competition.
According to him, the awards covered retirees, hardworking and dedicated staff across the registrar’s office, departments, zonal directorates, 36 state offices, the liaison and LCT offices, as well as outstanding state coordinators and drivers.
Other categories included awards for excellent performance and special recognition for 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.
He said productivity was not merely about completing assigned tasks but about delivering quality outcomes with integrity, timeliness and measurable impact.
The NECO boss urged award recipients to serve as models for other workers and called on personnel to embrace perseverance, teamwork and continuous self-improvement.
Meanwhile, the Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Aviation, Hon. Abdullahi Idris Garba, said the ceremony went beyond presentation of certificates, describing it as a demonstration of recognition aimed at encouraging excellence, hard work and discipline within NECO.
Garba said credibility of examinations depended not only on policies but largely on commitment, competence and integrity of personnel implementing them.
He urged staff to be guided by fairness, transparency and accountability, noting that their work affects the future of students.
The council named Cross River State Coordinator, Miss Ruth Nnamani, as Best State Coordinator of the Year.
Awards for excellent performance went to Mrs. Tabitha Kopdungha from Plateau State, Mr. Garba Sandy from Niger State and Mr. Rabiu Yakubu from Kaduna State.
NECO also conferred certificates of service on 55 retirees in 2025 for loyalty and dedication. They include retired Director of Registration, Mrs. Hajara Ali; Director, South-South Zone, Mr. Irem Obiahu; Director, Test Development, Mr. Michael Okei; and Acting Director, South-East Zone, Mr. Samuel Adiniyi.
Awards were also presented to six zonal directors, the FCT liaison office and coordinators of 36 state offices and Abuja.
For the Senior School Certificate Examination, Akai Bernice Kuyet and Eke Felix Emenike, both of School Sense, Barnawa, Kaduna State, won best female and male respectively.
For the Basic Education Certificate Examination, Miss Michael Daniela Chiamaka of Christland High School, Ikeja, Lagos, and Master Salihu Amir Umar of Kadwel International Schools, Kaduna, emerged best female and male.
For the National Gifted Examination, Master Ezeundu Samuel Akachukwu of God’s Wisdom International School, Anambra, won male category, while Ubochi Akunnaya of Diamond Special Schools, Owerri, won female.
For the National Common Entrance Examination, Alocha Naeto Daniel of Remmon Home Academy won male category, while Adenuga Monsurat Feyisara of Ar-Rahman Montessori School, Ojota, Lagos, won female.
NECO said the annual awards are intended to inspire healthy competition and continuous improvement, and to enhance quality and effectiveness of its services.
