NECO conducts exam for 1.3m candidates in Nigeria, foreign countries

The National Examinations Council (NECO) is currently conducting the 2024 NECO Senior Secondary Certificate Examination nationwide, with a staggering 1,376,391 candidates participating.

This year’s examination includes 706,490 male candidates and 669,901 female candidates, marking an increase in enrollment compared to the previous year.

In addition to the candidates in Nigeria, NECO is also administering the exam in six West African countries and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. This marks a significant milestone as Saudi Arabia is participating in the examination for the first time. Over 2,000 foreign candidates are taking part in the exam this year, highlighting the international reach and recognition of NECO.

Prof Ibrahim Wushishi, the Registrar and Chief Executive of NECO, expressed his delight at the increased enrollment rate for the SSCE. He stated, “For this year, we have recorded 1.3 million candidates overall, surpassing last year’s figure of 1.2 million. This is a testament to the growing interest and importance of the SSCE.”

To ensure the smooth conduct of the examination, NECO has implemented a comprehensive monitoring exercise. Prof Wushishi personally visited various states in the South East and South South regions to observe the ongoing exams. The monitoring exercise allows NECO to assess the processes involved in conducting the exams and address any potential issues promptly.

During the visits to schools, Prof Wushishi commended the exemplary sitting arrangements and the timely delivery of materials. He emphasized NECO’s zero-tolerance policy towards examination malpractice, reiterating the organization’s commitment to maintaining integrity and fairness in the examination process.

With the ongoing examination progressing smoothly and impressive results emerging, NECO continues to play a vital role in assessing the academic achievements of Nigerian and international students.