By Felix Khanoba
The National Examinations Council (NECO) has attributed its ability to sustain uninterrupted examinations amid Boko Haram insurgency, banditry, kidnapping and sit-at-home orders to the resilience, dedication and commitment of its workforce.
The Registrar of NECO, Prof. Ibrahim Dantani Wushishi, disclosed this on Wednesday in Minna, Niger State, at the council’s 2025 Annual Staff Productivity Award Ceremony.
Wushishi described the council’s workforce as the “army of NECO”, noting that staff had remained committed to their duties despite operating in challenging security environments.
According to him, the nature of NECO’s responsibilities requires personnel to remain constantly prepared to perform their duties, regardless of prevailing circumstances.
“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 added that the council had continued to move examination materials and logistics according to schedule, including operations conducted 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.
The registrar said the annual productivity awards were instituted not only to celebrate outstanding individuals but also to encourage staff to improve their performance and service delivery.
He explained that the 2025 edition recognised outstanding contributions from staff and stakeholders across different levels of the council, while promoting healthy competition and a culture of continuous improvement.
The awards covered retirees, hardworking and dedicated personnel in the registrar’s office, departments, zonal directorates, the 36 state offices, Liaison and LCT offices, as well as outstanding state coordinators and drivers.
Other award categories recognised excellence in different areas of operation, including the best-performing male and female candidates in the council’s 2025 examinations.
Wushishi described the students as the ultimate beneficiaries of NECO’s activities, saying their achievements demonstrated the value of hard work, discipline and perseverance.
He said the council would continue to improve its processes, strengthen accountability and protect the credibility of its examinations.
The registrar stressed that productivity went beyond simply completing assigned duties, saying it involved delivering quality results with integrity, timeliness and measurable impact.
He urged the award recipients to serve as role models to other employees and encouraged all NECO personnel to uphold perseverance, teamwork, unity and continuous self-development.
Wushishi also acknowledged the contributions of stakeholders to the council’s operations, noting that their cooperation had helped NECO sustain the smooth conduct of examinations across Nigeria and abroad.
He congratulated the awardees and retirees, saying their contributions had strengthened the council’s reputation and underscored NECO’s importance to the Nigerian education system.
Also speaking at the event, the Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Aviation, Hon. Abdullahi Idris Garba, said the ceremony represented more than the presentation of certificates and prizes.
Garba said it was a demonstration of recognition and commitment aimed at encouraging excellence, discipline, hard work and continuous improvement among NECO personnel.
He said the productivity awards were designed to recognise significant contributions by staff and stakeholders, boost morale and encourage healthy competition that could translate into improved performance and greater confidence in Nigeria’s examination system.
The lawmaker stressed that credible examinations depended not only on policies but also on the commitment, competence and integrity of those charged with implementing them.
He urged NECO to maintain the highest standards of integrity, prudence and efficiency in the conduct of examinations, while commending the council for its efforts to strengthen productivity and operational readiness.
Garba further encouraged NECO workers to draw inspiration from the recognition given to outstanding colleagues, urging them to pursue greater productivity and stronger results.
He said their duties must be guided by fairness, transparency and accountability because the outcome of their work could affect students’ lives and future opportunities.
In the state coordinator category, NECO honoured its Cross River State Coordinator, Miss Ruth Nnamani, as the Best State Coordinator of the Year.
The Best Excellence Performance award went to Mrs Tabitha Kopdungha of Plateau State, Mr Garba Sandy of Niger State and Mr Rabiu Yakubu of Kaduna State.
The examination body also presented certificates of service to 55 staff members who retired in 2025, in recognition of their years of loyalty, dedication and contributions to the council.
Among the retirees honoured were the former 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 the six zonal directors, the FCT Liaison Office, and coordinators of NECO’s 36 state offices and Abuja.
In the Senior School Certificate Examination category, Akai Bernice Kuyet and Eke Felix Emenike of School Sense Barnawa, Kaduna State, emerged as the female and male award recipients respectively.
For the Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE), Miss Michael Daniela Chiamaka of Christland High School, Ikeja, Lagos, and Mrs Salihu Amir Umar of Kadwel International Schools, Kaduna, received the female and male awards respectively.
In the National Gifted Examination category, Master Ezeundu Samuel Akachukwu of God’s Wisdom International School, Anambra, won the male award, while Ubochi Akunnaya of Diamond Special Schools, Owerri, received the female award.
Alocha Naeto Daniel of Remmon Home Academy emerged as the male recipient of the National Common Entrance award, while Adenuga Monsurat Feyisara of Ar-Rahman Montessori School, Ojota, received the female award.
The NECO Staff Productivity Awards is an annual programme established to recognise exceptional contributions by council employees and other stakeholders.
The programme is designed to promote staff motivation and productivity, with recognition covering areas including teaching, administration, research and innovation.
NECO said publicly recognising and rewarding exemplary performance remained an important strategy for improving the quality and effectiveness of educational services delivered by the council in Nigeria.
