The Minister of State for Education, Dr. Yusuf Tanko Sununu, has inaugurated the construction of seven state offices to facilitate the efficient operations of the National Examinations Council (NECO).Â
The ground-breaking ceremony for these permanent NECO state offices took place on Friday in Lafia, Nasarawa State.
The states that will benefit from these new offices include Nasarawa, Abia, Jigawa, Lagos, Rivers, Sokoto, and Taraba.
Azeez Sani, the Acting Director of NECO’s Directorate of Information and Digital Communication, announced these developments in a statement.
During the ceremony, Dr. Sununu highlighted the significance of these projects in ensuring a brighter future for Nigerian children.
He praised the NECO Registrar, Professor Dantani Wushishi, for adhering to the Federal Character principle, ensuring that the distribution of state offices is equitable across the six geopolitical zones of Nigeria.
Dr. Sununu emphasized that NECO, as an indigenous examination body, is committed to being inclusive and representing all parts of the country.
He described education as the cornerstone of development and a crucial tool for poverty eradication.
He assured NECO that the construction of the seven state offices would be completed promptly, providing a conducive working environment for NECO staff.
According to Dr. Sununu, a supportive work environment is essential for fostering innovative ideas and improving job efficiency.
The Minister also commended Professor Wushishi for initiating various reforms that have elevated NECO to a global standard.
 He asserted that NECO is a credible examination body that can be compared to any other examination body worldwide.
Professor Wushishi, speaking earlier at the event, explained that the new offices would serve as centers of excellence in the administration of examinations in Nigeria.
He stated, “This project is a direct outcome of the Federal Government’s commitment to infrastructural development within the educational sector. It is part of the seven capital projects allocated to NECO in this year’s budget, highlighting the government’s dedication to providing institutions like NECO with the necessary resources to fulfill their mandate effectively.”
The establishment of these offices reflects the Federal Government’s resolve to enhance the educational infrastructure in Nigeria, ensuring that NECO has the facilities required to conduct its operations efficiently and uphold its standards of excellence in examination administration.
