57,114 candidates (67.35%) obtained five credits and above, including English Language and Mathematics in the results of the 2024 External Senior School Certificate Examination (SSCE), exactly 62 days after the last paper was written by the National Examinations Council (NECO)

Announcing the results at NECO’s headquarters in Minna on Friday, the Registrar/Chief Executive, Prof. Dantani Wushishi, revealed that a total of 86,067 candidates registered for the examination, with 84,799 candidates (44,277 males and 40,522 females) actually sitting for the papers.

He indicated that 70,711 candidates (83.39%) secured five credits and above in any subject combination while83,220 candidates (75.62%) earned a credit in English Language and
83,024 candidates (93.93%) obtained a credit in Mathematics.

Prof. Wushishi noted a significant decline in malpractice cases, with 6,160 cases recorded in 2024, compared to 8,518 in 2023, marking a 27.7% reduction.
He attributed this progress to stricter monitoring measures by NECO’s Governing Board, Management, and Senior Staff.

Five supervisors from Oyo, Ogun, Lagos, Cross River, and Ebonyi States were blacklisted for poor supervision and aiding malpractice.
14 examination centers (10 in Ogun and 4 in Oyo) were blacklisted for whole-center malpractice in nine subjects.

During the event, Prof. Wushishi also unveiled NECO’s 2025 Staff Annual Posting Calendar, aimed at improving efficiency in staff deployment for national assignments.

Candidates can now check their results online via the official NECO portal.

***Says Northerners Opposing Tinubu Don’t Believe in Nigeria’s Unity

Former Niger State Commissioner for Information, Culture, and Tourism, and a Chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Jonathan Vatsa, has strongly criticized former Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Babachir Lawal, and ex-Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, over their opposition to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s potential re-election in 2027.

Speaking in Minna on Friday, Vatsa dismissed the duo as “self-serving politicians” who no longer have the credibility or influence to speak for the North.
He argued that any attempt to push for power to return to the North in 2027 is a direct threat to Nigeria’s unity, stating that only the South East has a legitimate claim for the presidency after Tinubu’s tenure.

“Both El-Rufai and Babachir Lawal cannot even win their local government areas in a free and fair election in 2027 because the average Northerner is now politically wise and no longer deceived by religious and ethnic sentiments,” Vatsa declared.
He accused El-Rufai of fueling insecurity in Kaduna, particularly in Southern Kaduna, to secure his second term in 2019, an issue he claims is still haunting the region. He praised Tinubu for restoring peace and inclusivity in the area, warning that attempts to turn the people against Tinubu in 2027 would fail.
Vatsa further claimed that the North’s political unity, once solid under former President Muhammadu Buhari, has now crumbled, leaving the region more fragmented than any other in Nigeria. He alleged that past Northern leaders have used religion and ethnicity to manipulate the masses while hoarding power and resources for themselves.
“They always deceive the poor Northerners with religion and ethnicity, but after elections, they corner everything for themselves and their families, leaving the people in hunger and poverty. That era is over. The slogan now is ‘dey for who dey for you,’” he stated.
In a scathing remark, Vatsa referenced the infamous N600 million “grass-cutting scandal” involving Babachir Lawal, suggesting that individuals with corruption-tainted records should not be leading opposition efforts against Tinubu.
“Even if you multiply El-Rufai and Babachir Lawal by 36 in every state, they cannot stop President Tinubu in 2027. Only God and the Nigerian people can decide, not a few individuals who have outlived their political relevance,” he concluded.
As the political landscape heats up ahead of 2027, Vatsa’s comments highlight the deepening divisions within the Northern political elite, raising questions about the region’s unity and influence in future elections.

***Pass Vote of Confidence

The Forum of Former Local Government Chairmen in Niger State has passed a vote of confidence on Governor Umaru Mohammed Bago, praising his administration’s remarkable achievements in the past two years.

The endorsement came on Wednesday during a courtesy visit to the governor at the Government House in Minna. The visit followed the maiden meeting of the forum’s Niger State chapter, held at the State House of Assembly Conference Hall.
Leading the delegation of over 130 former council chairmen, Ahmed Musa Ibeto, a former Deputy Governor of Niger State and former Chairman of Rijau Local Government, commended Governor Bago’s aggressive transformation efforts across the state.

Ibeto, who also served as Nigeria’s Ambassador to South Africa, highlighted the agricultural revolution and massive infrastructural projects initiated by the governor as proof of his commitment to genuine development.

“Your achievements are visible for all to see. You have shown leadership, commitment, and a clear vision for Niger State’s transformation. The ‘New Niger Agenda’ is not just a slogan but a reality in progress,” Ibeto stated.

He emphasized that the forum, made up of leaders from various political parties, is a non-partisan body dedicated to humanitarian service, grassroots development, and governance advocacy.

In his response, Governor Bago expressed gratitude for the forum’s support and reiterated his administration’s commitment to delivering impactful projects. He assured them that no ongoing project under his leadership would be abandoned.

“We inherited a state with serious infrastructural decay, but we are determined to change that. After nearly 50 years of existence, Niger State lacked a concrete development plan—something we are now addressing,” he said.

The governor urged forum members to continue supporting the government with ideas and advice, regardless of their political affiliations, stressing that Niger State belongs to everyone.

Speaker of the Niger State House of Assembly and former Chairman of Mariga Local Government, Rt. Hon. Abdulmalik Sarkindaji, welcomed the forum members and urged them to put politics aside.

“This forum must remain focused on its objectives—supporting governance and grassroots development. We will not allow it to be hijacked by political interests,” he said.

He emphasized the role of former grassroots leaders in driving sustainable development, adding that their collective experience is invaluable to policy-making and governance.

The forum’s meeting in Minna follows its recent national gathering in Abuja, where the national leadership structure was formed. With the endorsement of Governor Bago’s administration, the forum has positioned itself as a key stakeholder in Niger State’s development journey.

Governor Bago’s New Niger Agenda has continued to gain traction, with increasing support from political leaders, stakeholders, and grassroots representatives—a clear indication that the state’s transformation is on the right track.