In Nigeria’s education sector, few challenges are as persistent and corrosive as examination malpractice. For decades, malpractice has undermined merit, eroded public confidence in certificates, and weakened the country’s human capital base. Against this troubling backdrop, the leadership of the National Examinations Council, NECO, has become critically important.

NECO’s current Registrar, Professor Dantani Ibrahim Wushishi, a professor of science education, has demonstrated through measurable reforms and decisive actions that he deserves serious consideration for a second term in office. At the heart of the argument for his reappointment lies the undeniable fact that progress is being made under his leadership against all odds. Under his stewardship, NECO has not only acknowledged the depth of malpractice but has taken bold and verifiable steps to confront menace.
One of the most compelling indicators of reform is the sharp reduction in malpractice cases. For instance, in the 2025 Senior School Certificate Examination (SSCE), NECO recorded 3,878 malpractice cases, a dramatic drop from 10,094 in 2024, representing a reduction of over 60 percent in one examination year. This is not a marginal improvement; rather, it is a significant institutional achievement in a system long plagued by entrenched malpractice networks. Such a reduction reflects deliberate policy choices, strengthened monitoring mechanisms, and a willingness to enforce rules.
The Registrar has consistently emphasized strict supervision, transparency, and accountability as guiding principles. These are not mere bureaucratic slogans that are being translated into action. Equally noteworthy is the Registrar’s readiness to confront malpractice at the systemic level. For instance, NECO identified and investigated mass cheating in 38 schools across 13 states, with clear commitments to sanction those involved. This is significant because malpractice in Nigeria often operates as a coordinated enterprise involving schools, supervisors, and parents. By targeting entire institutions rather than isolated candidates, NECO is addressing the root of the problem.
Furthermore, the Council has not hesitated to discipline its own personnel. NECO staff found culpable of aiding malpractice have been recommended for blacklisting. This internal mechanism is crucial because any reform effort that ignores insider complicity is bound to fail. By cleaning its own house, NECO is sending a strong signal that integrity must begin from within.
Another reform worth highlighting is the introduction and gradual expansion of technology in examination administration. The transition toward Computer-Based Testing (CBT), even if incremental, marks a forward-looking shift that aligns NECO with global best practices. If truth be told, technology reduces human interference, limits opportunities for question leakage, and enhances efficiency in result processing. Indeed, efficiency itself has improved, especially, with the timely release of results, within about 54 days after the last paper. In a country where delays often breed suspicion and manipulation, faster result processing is both a technical and ethical reform.
Professor Wushishi’s efforts also extend to structural adjustments in the examination system. By reducing the number of subjects in line with a revised curriculum, NECO aims to streamline the examination process and improve quality control. This indicates a broader vision that goes beyond firefighting malpractice to rethinking how examinations are conducted.
Importantly, the Registrar has shown awareness of the social dimensions of malpractice. Examination fraud in Nigeria is not merely an institutional failure; it is a societal problem driven by pressure for success, weak enforcement of laws, and, most times times, parental complicity. By consistently calling for collective responsibility and warning against malpractice, NECO’s leadership is engaging the wider public in the reform process.
Critics may argue that malpractice still exists, and they would be correct. In,this regard,  critics may point at the 3,878 cases of malpractices that were recorded in 2025 despite the drastic drop in cases of malpractice compared to the figures of the preceding examination year. Be that as it may, reform should not solely be judged by perfection, but more importantly, by direction and momentum. The downward trend in cases of malpractice, coupled with stricter enforcement, suggests that NECO is on the right trajectory. Moreover, reforming an institution like NECO requires continuity as institutional change is rarely achieved within a single tenure. Policies need time to mature, systems need time to stabilize, and cultural shifts need time to take root. A second term would allow Professor Dantani Wushishi to consolidate gains, deepen reforms, and ensure continuity of progress.
There is also a broader governance argument. In Nigeria, frequent leadership changes often disrupt reform efforts as new leaders sometimes abandon existing policies in favour of new agendas, leading to inconsistency, policy reversals and inefficiency. Retaining a reform-minded Registrar at NECO provides stability and signals government commitment to sustained improvement in the education sector.
Beyond malpractice, NECO’s performance indicators under the current leadership have been encouraging. A significant proportion of candidates, over 60 percent, achieved five credits including English and Mathematics in 2025 Senior Secondary SchoolCertificate Examination. While examination results should always be interpreted cautiously, such outcomes suggest that the system is functioning with some degree of credibility.
Ultimately, the case for a second term is about institutional progress, and not about personal loyalty or political favouritism. The Registrar has demonstrated courage in confronting malpractice, competence in managing large-scale examinations, and vision in introducing reforms that align with global standards. Nigeria’s education system stands at a critical juncture and Nigeria cannot afford to return to an era where examination certificates are viewed with suspicion, or where merit is routinely compromised.
Essentially, Professor Dantani Ibrahim Wushishi has earned the opportunity to continue his work. The measurable reduction in malpractice, the enforcement of discipline, the adoption of technology, and the commitment to transparency, all point to a reform agenda that is both credible and impactful. Granting him a second term would not only reward performance but also reinforce the principle that effective leadership should be recognized and sustained.
For a country seeking to rebuild trust in its educational system, that is a decision worth making.
Magaji <Magaji778@gmail.com> writes from Abuja