The House of Representatives has initiated an investigation into the National Examination Council (NECO) over allegations of extra-budgetary spending and unauthorized virements, marking another bold step by the legislature to strengthen financial accountability within Nigeria’s education sector. The resolution to probe the examination body followed a motion moved by Hon. Amobi Ogah (LP–Abia) during plenary on Thursday, a move that reflects growing concern over how key education institutions handle public funds and internally generated revenue (IGR).
Presenting the motion, Ogah cited Sections 88 and 89 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended), which empowers the National Assembly to conduct investigations into the conduct of affairs of any authority, ministry, department, or agency of government. He stressed that these constitutional provisions were designed to ensure transparency and proper checks on public institutions entrusted with state resources.
According to the lawmaker, the allegations against NECO are serious and strike at the heart of public financial discipline. He noted that as an examination body responsible for assessing millions of Nigerian students annually, NECO not only receives allocations from the federal government but also generates substantial internal revenue through registration fees and related activities. As such, Ogah argued that the Council must be fully accountable to Nigerians regarding how it expends such funds.
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“NECO is allegedly implementing its virement without the required legislative approval. If this is so, it is a flagrant violation of our Constitution and inherent powers of this Honourable House as enshrined in it,” Ogah stated emphatically. He added that the alleged practice, if confirmed, would amount to financial mismanagement and a breach of established budgetary procedures that require National Assembly approval before any reallocation of funds can be made between budget lines.
Ogah further urged the House to carefully examine NECO’s budget performance and internally generated revenue implementation from 2023 to date. He emphasized that the investigation must extend beyond mere document verification to include an in-depth review of NECO’s bank statements, remittances to the Federation Account, and financial correspondence within the same period. “There is a need to peruse NECO’s bank statements of account from 2023 to date. The organisation must also provide evidence of remittance to the Federation Account for the same period,” he said.
The motion received wide support from members of the House, who underscored the importance of maintaining financial discipline in public education agencies. Several lawmakers expressed concern that NECO, being a major player in the country’s educational assessment system, must set an example of transparency and good governance. They emphasized that any breach of financial regulations by such a strategic institution could undermine public trust in both the education system and the government’s anti-corruption agenda.
In his ruling, the Deputy Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Kalu, who presided over the session, commended Ogah for raising what he described as a matter of urgent national importance. Kalu directed the House Committee on Basic Education and Examination Bodies to conduct a comprehensive investigation into the allegations and submit a report within three weeks. He stressed that the House would not hesitate to take further action if the findings revealed any wrongdoing.
“The Committee on Basic Education and Examination Bodies is hereby mandated to investigate this matter thoroughly and report back to the House within three weeks. The integrity of our educational institutions must be preserved at all times,” Kalu ruled.
This latest development adds to a series of oversight activities by the 10th National Assembly aimed at ensuring fiscal responsibility across government agencies. It also highlights the legislature’s growing focus on education sector governance, particularly given the central role of examination bodies like NECO in shaping Nigeria’s academic and civic future.
Observers note that this investigation could provide a critical test of NECO’s internal control systems and adherence to financial regulations. As an agency charged with conducting the Senior School Certificate Examination (SSCE) and the Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE), NECO handles large volumes of funds collected from millions of students nationwide. Analysts argue that this makes it imperative for the agency to maintain transparent and auditable financial practices, not only to uphold accountability but also to strengthen public confidence in the integrity of its examinations and administrative processes.
The probe is also expected to send a strong signal to other government parastatals and education-related agencies on the need for strict compliance with financial regulations. Stakeholders in the education sector, including civil society organizations and policy advocates, have welcomed the move, describing it as a necessary step toward sanitizing financial management within Nigeria’s educational institutions.
As the House committee commences its investigation, attention will be focused on NECO’s financial documents and operational records. The outcome of the probe may influence future reforms in public education funding and could potentially lead to greater scrutiny of how examination fees and federal subventions are utilized.
Ultimately, the National Assembly’s intervention reflects a renewed commitment to fiscal prudence, good governance, and transparency in the management of education funds. It reinforces the constitutional mandate of the legislature to hold public officials accountable while ensuring that public resources dedicated to education are used strictly for their intended purpose which is improving learning outcomes and strengthening Nigeria’s human capital development.
