In a colorful ceremony at its Minna headquarters, the National Examinations Council (NECO) on Thursday celebrated a culture of excellence, honoring dedicated staff, retirees, and brilliant students at its 2024 Staff Productivity Awards—just a day after releasing the highly anticipated 2025/2026 SSCE results.
The event turned into a festival of recognition as over 150 staff members were applauded for outstanding service, 45 retirees received Certificates of Service for their years of commitment, and eight top-performing students from public and private schools nationwide were decorated for excelling across all NECO-administered examinations.
Registrar and Chief Executive Professor Dantani Ibrahim Wushishi, whose tenure has been marked by reforms and strengthened credibility, described the awards as more than a yearly tradition.
“This is about embedding discipline, teamwork, and ethical service into the DNA of NECO,” Wushishi said. “Excellence is not an option—it is the trust and confidence we owe Nigeria’s education system.”
Beyond Plaques and Certificates
The awards covered categories such as Most Dedicated Staff of the Year, Best State Coordinator, Best Driver, and Student Excellence Awards, reminding stakeholders that every role—from administrators to drivers—contributes to the integrity of Nigeria’s examinations.
Wushishi praised the collective effort that has seen NECO successfully conduct and release results on schedule for three years running. He highlighted strides in digitization, including the development of custom ICT software for fair grading, the procurement of advanced OMR scanning components, modern computer systems for all states and zonal offices, and access to e-Granary databases for subject officers.
He urged staff to “renew their commitment to integrity in every operation” and encouraged students to view their accomplishments as a beacon for their peers.
Cash Prizes Electrify the Hall
Special Guest of Honor Abdulmalik Sarkin-Daji, Speaker of the Niger State House of Assembly, hailed Wushishi’s leadership.
“This is not just a productivity award—it is proof that NECO has become a credible, functional, and organized system under your watch,” Sarkin-Daji declared, before announcing a ₦500,000 cash prize for each overall best student in the various examinations—a gesture that drew thunderous applause.
The chairman of the awards committee echoed that the recognition would motivate staff and students alike to aim higher.
A Celebration of Shared Success
The 2024 ceremony did more than honor individual achievements—it reaffirmed NECO’s mission to deliver credible, timely, and fair assessments that empower learners and safeguard Nigeria’s future. By intertwining the journeys of students, staff, and retirees, the event underscored how collective dedication shapes the nation’s educational landscape.
As the drums faded in Minna, the message was clear: in NECO’s vision for Nigeria’s education system, excellence is not the exception—it is the standard.