***New machine to process 15,000 scripts per hour
The National Examinations Council (NECO) has inaugurated a state-of-the-art digital scanning machine worth N700 million to enhance the speedy release of examination results.
The high-performance Optical Mark Recognition (OMR) scanner, unveiled by NECO Registrar and Chief Executive, Professor Dantani Wushishi, at the council’s ICT department in Minna on Thursday, can process 15,000 scripts per hour—marking a significant upgrade from the previous outdated system that could only handle 900 scripts per hour.
Speaking at the commissioning ceremony, Professor Wushishi emphasized that the acquisition underscores NECO’s commitment to delivering world-class examinations with efficiency and accuracy.
“This digital scanner will not only read the OMR sheets but also score candidates’ responses in real-time, drastically reducing result processing time. This development positions NECO to release examination results faster than ever before,” he stated.
Prior to this upgrade, the council had relied on an obsolete Direct Reading System (DRS) scanner, which often delayed the release of results. With the new machine in place, Professor Wushishi assured candidates and stakeholders of quicker turnaround times.
The Director of ICT at NECO, Mr. Godwin Usioboh, highlighted the critical role technology plays in modern educational assessment. He noted that the new machine, the Scantron Insight 1500C, is globally recognized for its precision, speed, and ability to handle large volumes efficiently.
“With this addition, we will significantly enhance our data processing capabilities, ensuring faster and more accurate results processing for millions of candidates across Nigeria,” Usioboh said.
He also credited Professor Wushishi’s leadership for driving digital transformation within NECO, stressing that the scanner’s acquisition aligns with the council’s vision of maintaining a credible and technology-driven examination process.
The initiative is expected to enhance NECO’s operational efficiency, reinforcing its position as a leading examination body committed to timely and transparent assessment services.
