Some states owe NECO and it hampers execution of its programmes
By Jeph Ajobaju, Chief Copy Editor
Some states owe the National Examination Council (NECO) more than N2 billion in examination fees, Registrar Ibrahim Wushishi has disclosed, with a plea for them to pay up to enable it carry out its programmes which span West Africa and beyond.
Wushishi spoke in Lagos when he monitored the ongoing General Certificate of Education (GCE) examination for final year senior secondary school students.
He said some of the debts began accruing in 2012, with five states owing the most. He did not publicly name the debtor states but urged them to pay up.
“We need the money because the Federal Government only pays workers’ salaries and all other expenses are borne by the council. We need the support of all, including state governments, for us to discharge our duties and mandate,” Wushishi pleaded.
“We are not just present in Nigeria, we also conduct examinations in places like Togo, Niger, Benin and Equatorial Guinea.
“Our examinations are conducted in line with international best practices. We are happy about the conduct of the ongoing examination. We have been to Kogi, Ekiti, Ondo, Osun, Oyo, Ogun and other places and things have been going on well.”
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Exam result to be released within 45 days
Wushishi disclosed that the sit-at-home order in some South East states has been taken care off in examination schedules, per reporting by Vanguard.
“Even those who were affected by such orders last year, we conducted make up exam for them and we are happy that such things are no longer happening now.”
He gave an assurance that the result of the GCE examination will be released within 45 days of the last paper being written.
“We are on top of the situation and we are giving the assurance that the results of the ongoing exam will be released not later than 45 days after the last paper. We have over 1.2 million candidates sitting for the exam.”
Wushishi commended President Muhammadu Buhari and Education Minister Adamu Adamu for resolving the issue of Treasury Single Account (TSA) to give NECO some independence.
The examination centre he visited included Ilupeju Senior Grammar School, Oshodi and Agbayewa Memorial College, Ilupeju.