NECO Ascribe Early Release Of Result To Key Reforms

By Ajoke Babareke, Abuja.

Acting Registrar of the National Examination Council NECO, Mr Abubakar Gana has said that results of the Councils examinations of 2017, specifically Mathematics and English language have shown that , 70.85 per cent of candidates had five credits and above, above  71.48 per cent in 2018, this showing 0.63 per cent improved performance in the current result.

Mr Gana said this while speaking on improved performance of candidates in the exams and  ongoing reforms in the Council.

Speaking on the 2018 NECO results, he said that 875, 464 candidates, representing 84.77 per cent scored credits in English Language, while 850,331 candidates representing 82.34 per cent, scored credits in Mathematics.

He added  that a total of 742,455 candidates representing 71.48 per cent scored five credits and above, including English Language and Mathematics.

He ascribed the early release of results to efforts made by the Council to please candidates awaiting results for the August deadline set by JAMB to commence admissions.

 "NECO’s effectiveness in beating the deadlines is historic. Prior to this time, NECO results took between two to three months or even more before they were released,this was done to ease off pressure mounted on awaiting-result candidates participating in the Unified Tertiary Matriculations Examination, UTME, conducted by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board, JAMB"

"The Council also realigned its procedures to ensure that results are released early to meet JAMB’s deadlines".he added.

According to Mr Gana , "For the first time in the history of the Council, since it was established in 1999, its examination was written in a well-coordinated manner in June/July 2018 and results released forty days later. A similar schedule had been adopted by the West African Examination Council, WAEC, which released its 2018 results after two months of conducting the West African School Certificate Examination, WASSCE"

Speaking on key reforms, Mr Gana said Over the past four months, NECO’s efforts at repositioning have not only demonstrated its resolve at fulfilling its core mandate and values, but also shown signs of the council’s determination of becoming a reliable examination body.

"The council established for the purpose of conducting nationally and internationally acceptable examinations, NECO shares the burden of enthroning transparency and accountability to boost the integrity of its exercises, but the exam body has not escaped the gale of controversies in the management of its internal affairs"

"All issues between union  and the management are now resolved as the management and staff of the Council have come to agreement to work together on issues that divided them to attain the main objectives of the council"

Allegations were recently laid on the council's suspended Chief Executive Officer, and two deputy directors including financial mismanagement, abuse of office, illegal recruitment of personnel and other misdemeanours. 

As part of the reforms, NECO commenced immediate implementation of the manpower development plan recommended by a Ministerial Committee under the Chairmanship of Muhammed Umar, a former Director of Human Resources, Ministry of Education.

According to the Acting Registrar of NECO, Mr Abubakar Gana, the plan, which is being implemented through internal postings and transfer of personnel based on their areas of specialisation, is to ensure efficiency in the council’s operations.

“With the reforms being implemented, NECO is fast taking its place as a reliable examination management body,” Gana said.

For the first time, since its establishment in 1999, the National Examinations Council, NECO, released its June/July 2018 SSSCE result within forty days, ended over a decade-long industrial dispute between its management and unions, and commenced reforms that would ensure specialisation for its staff.