The National Examinations Council (NECO) has celebrated excellence in education by rewarding top-performing candidates, schools, and staff across the country at its 2024 Staff Productivity Award ceremony. The event, held at the Council’s headquarters in Minna, Niger State, underscored the agency’s renewed commitment to promoting discipline, innovation, and integrity within Nigeria’s education sector.
Registrar and Chief Executive Officer of NECO, Professor Dantani Ibrahim Wushishi, led the ceremony and announced the award recipients. He explained that the initiative was designed not only to recognize achievements but also to inspire a culture of diligence, teamwork, and ethical service among students, teachers, and staff nationwide.
Among the student awardees were Master Balogun Farian Ajibola and Miss Iyasei Ifeanyichukwu Victory, who emerged as the best performers in the National Common Entrance Examination. Similarly, Mr. Udo Jacob Chimmremeze Godslove Samuel of Diamond Special Schools, Owerri, and Miss Okpala Chukwugozirin Kamtochukwu of Primary School, Nnewi, distinguished themselves as the best candidates in the National Gifted Examination.
For the Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE), two students of Igbinedion Education Centre, Benin City—Master Charles Bryan Uzoma and Miss Awanbor Omoriyekmwen Claire—emerged as top performers, earning accolades for their outstanding results. Their achievements highlighted the institution’s strong academic track record and commitment to nurturing young talent.
The awards also recognized exceptional staff members. Mr. Thadeus Ajagbu, NECO’s State Coordinator in Kogi, was named Best State Coordinator, while Mr. Ola A. Kareem received the Best Driver award for his exemplary service in 2024. These recognitions, according to Prof. Wushishi, reflect NECO’s determination to appreciate excellence across all levels of its workforce.
In his keynote address, Prof. Wushishi emphasized that the awards were not just about recognition but also about setting benchmarks for performance and discipline. He cited the Council’s recent successes, including the smooth conduct and timely release of examinations, transparent staff promotion exercises, and the deployment of ICT innovations to strengthen fairness and credibility in its operations.
The Speaker of the Niger State House of Assembly, Alhaji Abdulmalik Sarkin-Daji, who graced the occasion, commended NECO’s leadership under Prof. Wushishi. He described his stewardship as “exemplary,” noting that NECO’s reputation for integrity and credibility has continued to grow in recent years.
The ceremony concluded with a renewed pledge by the Council to maintain its standards of excellence while motivating both students and staff to contribute meaningfully to Nigeria’s educational advancement.
