Hon. Abbas Calls for Urgent Reforms to Strengthen Integrity of Nigeria’s Education System at NECO's 25th Anniversary

Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Abbas Tajudeen has called for fast reforms to strengthen the integrity, credibility, and innovation of Nigeria’s national educational system, describing examination bodies as critical institutions that shape governance, economic development, and public trust.

Abbas made the call while presenting the lead paper at the 25th anniversary celebration of the National Examinations Council (NECO). He commended the examination body for its resilience and contributions to educational development since its establishment in 1999, while stressing the need for greater transparency, digital innovation, and institutional accountability in the country's assessment framework.

Represented by the Deputy Speaker of the House, Benjamin Kalu, the Speaker described NECO as a strategic national institution that has expanded access to certification for millions of Nigerians and strengthened national ownership of examinations.

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“Over the past twenty-five years, NECO has significantly broadened access to certification, reinforced national ownership of assessments, and offered an additional pathway through which millions of young Nigerians have demonstrated their preparedness for further education and employment. These accomplishments merit appropriate recognition.”

He noted that milestones such as anniversaries should not only be occasions for celebration but also opportunities for reflection and institutional improvement.

“Anniversaries, however, are not merely occasions for celebration; they are also opportunities for critical evaluation. Institutions are characterised by their ability to persist through continual renewal, achieved not by neglecting challenges but by confronting them with transparency and deliberate intent.”

The Speaker emphasised that national assessment systems extend beyond educational policy, serving as governance institutions that influence opportunities, competence, and public confidence.

“National assessment systems are not merely technical instruments for educational policy; they are critical governance institutions that shape opportunities, demonstrate competence, and preserve public trust.”

Abbas warned that examination malpractice remains a major threat to the credibility of Nigeria’s education system, noting that weak credentialing structures undermine merit and public confidence.

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While acknowledging recent efforts by NECO and the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) to reduce malpractice through biometric verification, enhanced supervision, and improved logistics, he maintained that stronger legislative backing and institutional collaboration are still required.

According to him, the National Assembly is committed to deploying its constitutional powers of lawmaking, oversight, and appropriation to modernise the nation's assessment architecture, strengthen digital examination systems, and improve cybersecurity safeguards.

The Speaker also proposed a phased policy roadmap focused on strengthening enforcement mechanisms, curbing examination malpractice, and protecting whistleblowers within the education sector.

“The integrity of national assessment systems is essential to the credibility of educational results, the legitimacy of certifications, and the proper functioning of merit-based opportunity frameworks. In Nigeria, this integrity is persistently challenged by a combination of structural, institutional, socio-economic, and technological factors.”

He pointed to examination malpractice as the most visible manifestation of these challenges while noting that recent examination cycles have shown encouraging improvements under stricter enforcement measures.

“The most conspicuous manifestation is examination malpractice. Recent data illustrate both the scale of the problem and signs of progress under stricter enforcement. Both NECO and WAEC have reported encouraging reductions in recent cycles.”

Abbas further argued that issues affecting national assessments reflect broader concerns about state capacity, regulation, technological advancement, and societal expectations.

“This lecture has underscored a fundamental point: national assessment systems are not merely technical instruments for educational policy; they are critical governance institutions that shape opportunities, demonstrate competence, and preserve public trust. In Nigeria, challenges such as examination malpractice, institutional fragmentation, technological change, and socio-economic pressures reveal broader issues of state capacity, regulation, and societal expectations.”

He added that addressing these concerns requires more than administrative measures, stressing that the House of Representatives has both an obligation and an opportunity to strengthen the assessment system through effective legislation, oversight, and funding.

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“Addressing them requires more than administrative corrections. For the House, this reframing presents both an obligation and an opportunity. By executing its legislative, oversight, and funding responsibilities with clarity and purpose, the House can help build an assessment system that earns trust and advances national progress.”

The Speaker concluded by stating that the true value of any assessment system lies not in the number of examinations conducted but in the credibility and relevance of the certifications awarded.

“The true measure of success is not the quantity of examinations conducted or certificates conferred, but the extent to which those certifications reflect genuine competence, command international recognition, and contribute to a skilled and productive workforce.”