🇳🇬NigeriaWest Africa
NECO to introduce computer-based examinations this year
via Punch Nigeria3 min read
The Federal Government announced that the National Examinations Council NECO will begin computer-based examinations this year. This initiative aims to combat examination malpractice and modernize Nigeria's assessment system. The Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, made this disclosure during NECO's 25th-anniversary celebration in Abuja, highlighting it as a crucial step towards enhancing the credibility of public examinations and elevating Nigeria's global education standards. The new model will enable real-time monitoring of candidates, detection of suspicious activities, and reduction of examination fraud. Dr Alausa emphasized NECO's role in ensuring integrity and accountability in education, noting its evolution into a reliable examination body over 25 years. He added that NECO has improved examination security, enhanced scoring reliability, and expanded access to examinations in underserved communities through technological innovations. The Minister stressed the importance of educational assessments focusing on modern skills like critical thinking and digital literacy. Prof. Dantani Wushishi, the Registrar and Chief Executive of NECO, stated that the council now conducts examinations in eight countries, signifying international acceptance of its certificates. He mentioned NECO's reforms, including digital verification systems and e-certificates, and infrastructure expansion projects. The introduction of computer-based examinations is seen as a significant shift to imp
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Yeshua’s Arm, a non-governmental organization, has voiced concerns regarding the diminishing reading culture among Nigerian children, attributing it to increased social media use and limited access to books. This concern was raised during the commissioning of a library at St Theresa School in Epe, Lagos State, as part of a literacy intervention project in collaboration with Dow Chemical Company. Mrs. Kemi Williams, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Yeshua’s Arm, noted that children are spending more time on social media than on reading. The organization's response includes establishing libraries and expanding mobile library services to improve literacy, reading habits, and critical thinking by providing access to books and learning materials. Williams stated that these efforts are currently reaching over 2,000 children. The libraries are designed to foster independent learning and cognitive development, aiming to enhance classroom learning outcomes and the quality of education nationwide. Williams emphasized that Nigeria's most valuable resource is its human capital, advocating for greater investment in education and literacy. The organization is working with schools to ensure the project's sustainability through continuous literacy support and has already introduced mobile libraries in several schools, impacting 20 to 30 schools and establishing about 10 permanent libraries. Toby-Lade Valmon, Site Implementation Leader for Global African Affinity Network, Dow Industrial
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