Shettima said this on Thursday in Abuja at the 25th Anniversary Celebration of the National Examinations Council (NECO).

Represented by his Senior Special Assistant on Legal and Compliance, Bashir Maidugu, the Vice-President stressed that credible examination systems were critical to building quality human capital and expanding opportunities for Nigerian youths.

According to him, the examination body should continue to be affordable to the ordinary child. Education remains the bedrock of national development.

“A nation that invests in credible assessment systems, invests directly in the quality of its human capital and the future of its society.

“As a government under the leadership of President Bola Tunubu, we remain committed to creating an enabling environment for educational institutions to thrive.

“We also remain commitment for Nigerian students to compete confidently on the global stage.

“Let us, therefore, continue to inspire our young people to dream boldly, study diligently, embrace integrity, and contribute meaningfully to national development,” he said.

Shettima said NECO was established 25 years ago with a patriotic mandate to provide a standardised, credible and nationally owned examination framework capable of assessing students with fairness, integrity and global relevance.

He said the creation of the council strengthened confidence in Nigeria’s education system by ensuring that students’ academic achievements were matched with credible opportunities for advancement.

Former Head of State, Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar, commended NECO for its contributions to strengthening educational assessment and promoting credibility in Nigeria’s education system over the past 25 years.

Abubakar, represented by the former Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Amb. Zubairu Dada, said that beyond examination administration, NECO had influenced education policy and pedagogy through credible data generation.

This, he said, had supported policy decisions, resource allocation and educational planning.

On his part, the Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, described NECO’s journey over the past 25 years as pivotal to Nigeria’s education development.

Alausa noted that the council had strengthened accountability, expanded access to examinations and restored public confidence in national certification.

He said the federal government planned migration of its examinations to computer-based testing would enhance transparency through real-time monitoring and improved tracking of candidates’ activities.

He said the introduction of digital technology had reduced examination fraud to 90 per cent in 2026, expressing hope that by 2027, examination fraud would be reduced to 100 per cent.

According to him, the reform represents a critical milestone in modernising Nigeria’s assessment system and aligning examinations with global best practices.

“We must explore innovative assessment approaches that reflect 21st-century competencies, such as critical thinking, problem-solving, and digital literacy, while maintaining rigorous standards.

“We are at the threshold of a very important reform, which NECO is spearheading – and that is the Computer-Based Examination, which is to commence this year.

“This will go a long way in curbing the menace of examination malpractice due to its ability to track and detect suspicious activity and also provide real-time monitoring of candidates,” he said.

The Registrar/Chief Executive, NECO, Prof. Dantani Wushishi, said that its examinations were now conducted in eight countries, noting that NECO was established to harmonise national examinations and provide credible, reliable and accessible certification for Nigerian learners.

Wushishi said the council overcame early challenges such as limited public trust, infrastructure deficits and concerns about examination reliability through transparent procedures, strict standards and timely release of results.

The registrar said the introduction of online registration and internet-based result release revolutionised examination administration, improving efficiency, accessibility and public confidence in the system.

He added that NECO’s adherence to global best practices in assessment design, examination security and data management had earned the council international recognition and acceptance of its certificates.

“NECO began as a bold initiative to harmonise and enhance the administration of national examinations.

“In the earliest days, we faced daunting hurdles, which include limited public trust, infrastructure gaps, and questions about the validity and reliability of our assessments.

“Yet, through steadfast leadership, transparent processes, and a steadfast commitment to the national interest, we gradually earned the trust of students, parents, schools, and stakeholders both nationally and internationally.

“The Council laid down the foundations of credibility through sheer procedures, timely release of results, and consistent standards,” he said.

Highlighting its recent achievements, Wushishi said the council had expanded infrastructure with new offices under construction in 10 states, established digital platforms including the NECO e-Verify system, and developed data analytics facilities to modernise examination services.

He disclosed that additional zonal directorates and departments had been created to improve staff development, mobility and service delivery nationwide.

Looking ahead, Wushishi said NECO would intensify anti-malpractice measures, expand digital certificates and e-services, strengthen international partnerships and widen access to examinations for learners in underserved communities.

He reaffirmed the council’s commitment to integrity, fairness and accessibility in examination administration, urging staff and stakeholders to sustain reforms that promote excellence in Nigeria’s education system.

A renowed educationist, Emeritus Prof. Pai Obanya, from the Institute of Education, University of Ibadan, highlighted the challenges faced by education assessment in a changing world.

Obanya called for synergetic relationships among all examination bodies to learn from each other on examination assessments.

He stressed the need for assessment methods that accord equal importance to cognitive and non-cognitive skills.

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Alausa said this on Wednesday in Abuja during the inauguration of governing boards, principal officers and chief executives of agencies under the Federal Ministry of Education.

He said the intervention marked the first major dedicated investment aimed at addressing acute accommodation shortages in Nigeria’s universities, polytechnics and colleges of education.

According to him, the fund will support hostel construction in at least 50 tertiary institutions, with each expected to receive about N2 billion for at least 500 bed spaces.

He added that an additional N90 billion would be deployed through Public-Private Partnership arrangements to provide hostels in 24 federal institutions with 1,200 to 1,500 bed spaces each.

“We have several of those schools whose constructions have already started cumulatively, N250 billion in 2026 to provide student accommodation alone,” he said.

Alausa explained that the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) would provide N1 billion counterpart funding per institution, while private investors would contribute about N4 billion each.

He expressed appreciation to President Tinubu, describing his leadership as “missionary” and key to driving reforms in the education sector under the Renewed Hope Agenda.

The minister said the president’s investment and policy direction had strengthened human capital development and positioned education as a central tool for national transformation.

He said that the ministry had received the highest budgetary allocation in the country for two consecutive years, reflecting the administration’s focus on education reform.

Alausa said the hostel initiative was a direct response to long-standing accommodation deficits in institutions such as Lagos State University and Yaba College of Technology.

He added that government was prioritising implementation-driven reforms guided by measurable outcomes rather than policy formulation alone.

The minister charged newly inaugurated board members to ensure accountability, strengthen oversight and improve institutional performance across agencies.

He also announced additional investments, including N130 billion for engineering and technology workshops and N120 billion for upgrading medical schools nationwide.

Chairman of the NBTE Governing Board, Prof. Babatunde Salako, pledged commitment to transparency, institutional strengthening and alignment of education with Nigeria’s economic needs.

The list of inaugurated members are: Prof. Babatunde Salako, Chairman, Governing Board, NBTE; Prof. Modupe Adelabu, Chairman, Governing Board, National Examinations Council (NECO) and David Shofoyeke, Executive Secretary, National Institute for Educational Planning and Administration (NIEPA).

Others are Prof. Garba Shuaib, Member, Governing Council, Federal University Dutsin-Ma, Katsina State; Abdulrahman, Ahmad, Member, Governing Council, Federal College of Agriculture and Technology, Nabanje Kafur, Katsina State and Prof. Kabiru Dungurawa, Member, Governing Council, Federal College of Education (Technical) Potiskum, Yobe State.

Also in the list are Dr Bongfa Bonfa, Rector, Federal Polytechnic N’ Yak-Shendam Plateau State; Prof. Tijani Kalli, Vice Chancellor, Federal University of Agriculture and Entrepreneurship, Bama and Mr Abba Goni, Registrar, Federal University of Agriculture and Entrepreneurship, Bama, Borno state.

Others are Mrs Aisha Halilu, Librarian, Federal University of Agriculture and Entrepreneurship, Bama; Mr Bashir Zubairu, Bursar, Federal University of Agriculture and Entrepreneurship, Bama.

Members of the Federal Unuversity of Techbology, Minna, Bosso campus co-sharing committee are: Prof. Idris Ali, Senior Special Adviser to the Minister of State for Education as Chairman; Dr Ayuba Mohammed, Deputy Director, Academic Planning, National University Commussion (NUC) and Pastor Timothy Ademola as External Member of Council.

Others are Dr Oyeleke Olarinoye, Heda of Department, Nuclear Science, FUT Minna; Prof. A.A. Aliyu, Provost, College of Health Sciences, Ibrahim Badamosi University (IBBU) Lapai, among others.

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Otti gave the directive while receiving the Vice-Chancellor of NOUN, Prof. Uduma Uduma, who paid him a courtesy visit at his country home in Nvosi, Isiala Ngwa South Local Government Area.

Mr Ambrose Gowong, Head, NOUN New Media Unit, said in a statement on Wednesday in Abuja that the governor’s decision followed a request by the vice-chancellor for policy direction on establishing a study centre in Aba.

Otti directed the Commissioner for Tertiary Education and the Managing Director, Greater Aba Development Authority, to begin processes for a temporary site, pending a permanent facility.

The governor described Aba as a major commercial hub that should not be without a NOUN study centre.

Otti noted that open and distance learning had evolved significantly with the aid of technology, including platforms such as Google Meet and Zoom, which had enhanced knowledge sharing.

“In view of the role NOUN is playing in advancing education, it is imperative that Aba has a study centre,” he said.

He reiterated the state government’s commitment to educational development through the recruitment, training and retraining of teachers.

Otti assured the University of the state government’s support towards the establishment of the centre in Aba.

The governor also directed the Commissioner for Tertiary Education to liaise with the management of the Umuahia study centre of NOUN to identify areas where the state could assist in improving facilities.

Earlier, Uduma said he was in the state to seek government support and policy direction for the establishment of a study centre in Aba.

He said NOUN was committed to expanding access to education through open and distance learning, as well as promoting inclusiveness.

According to him, study centres serve as critical access points, and Aba, being one of the largest cities in the country, deserves such a facility.

Uduma added that the institution was willing to partner with governments and organisations to broaden educational opportunities.

He also highlighted the growing global importance of open and distance learning, noting that many universities now operate a dual mode of education delivery.

The vice-chancellor thanked the governor for the warm reception and for granting the university audience in spite of his busy schedule.

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Dr Oladipupo Bello, Director, Curriculum Development Department, NBTE, said this at the inauguration of a workshop, on Monday in Kaduna.

He said the curriculum review aims at strengthening practical skills and aligning tertiary education with industry demands.

Bello said the workshop was a critical step in repositioning education to drive Nigeria’s economic and technological development through industry-driven and competency-based training.

He highlighted that graduates must demonstrate real competence, adding that curricula would reflect modern industry practices, emerging technologies, and labour market realities based on findings from the 2026 skills gap analysis.

The director underscored the imperative to maintain a 70:30 ratio in favour of practical learning, guiding participants to prioritise hands-on training in the review and development of agricultural programmes.

He urged the participants to adopt a systematic approach, including reviewing curriculum content, updating course structures, and incorporating recommendations from skill gap analyses to ensure relevance and competitiveness.

Bello said that attention would be given to course details such as contact hours, credit loads, balancing theory with practical components and introducing new courses to meet evolving industry needs.

According to Bello, curricula will clearly define measurable learning outcomes, teaching strategies, minimum requirements for facilities, equipment, and instructional materials to support effective implementation.

He said the final submissions would undergo thorough vetting to ensure compliance with NBTE standards before approval, while resource persons and staff would provide technical and administrative support.

Prof. Idris Bugaje, Executive Secretary of the board, commended ongoing education reforms under President Bola Tinubu’s administration.

He described the reforms as significant milestones in Nigeria’s education sector.

Bugaje said the initiative, driven by collaboration among education, agriculture, and livestock ministries, reflects renewed commitment towards revitalising agricultural education as a cornerstone of national development.

He observed that declining interest in agricultural studies was linked to outdated curricula, adding that the ongoing reforms aim to integrate modern technologies and make programmes more attractive to students.

The NBTE helmsman announced plans to review 430 curricula and develop new ones through multiple parallel workshops.

He emphasised the need to increase practical content beyond 70 per cent, particularly for diploma programmes, to ensure graduates possess hands-on skills required by the industry.

Bugaje also hinted at a major policy shift regarding admissions aimed at boosting

enrollment in agricultural programmes and strengthening food security through improved training systems.

He expressed optimism that the reforms would revive interest in agricultural education and enhance productivity to achieve sustainable food production and economic growth.

The exercise attracted participants from the academia, industry experts, government officials, and the private sector.

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The JAC comprises the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) and the Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions (NASU).

The meeting, convened by the Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, was adjourned to May 5 at 3 p.m. for further negotiations.

Our correspondent recalled that SSANU and NASU began an indefinite strike on April 30 following the expiration of a one-month ultimatum to the federal government over the renegotiation of the 2009 agreement.

The unions are protesting the federal government’s proposed 30 per cent salary increase, insisting on a 40 per cent adjustment through collective bargaining.

The federal government had earlier withdrawn the 30 per cent offer, a decision the unions described as unilateral and lacking proper consultation.

Speaking on the industrial action, SSANU President, Mr Mohammed Ibrahim, said the strike was fully complied with nationwide, paralysing administrative and essential services in universities.

“Our demands remain unchanged. We are demanding fairness, equity and proper consideration for our members.

“The 40 per cent benchmark is the minimum acceptable position for us, and the strike continues until meaningful progress is achieved,” he said.

Ibrahim said administrative offices, clinics, hostels and finance departments had been shut across universities due to total compliance with the strike directive.

“Our position remains the same. We are asking for fairness and equity, and nothing has changed,” he said.

Meanwhile, the University of Maiduguri (UNIMAID) has postponed its e-examinations due to disruptions caused by the strike.

The institution, in a memo issued by the Office of the Vice-Chancellor and signed by the Exams and Time-Table Coordinator, Prof. Dani Mamman, said that the examinations would be rescheduled until the strike was suspended.

“In view of the non-teaching staff strike, the above examinations will be rescheduled until the current strike is suspended.”

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Oloyede made the assertion at the Third Distinguished Lecture Series of Lagos State University of Education (LASUED) on Monday.

The lecture is entitled: “Strengthening Teacher Preparation in Nigeria: Admission and Contents Consolidation”.

According to him, addressing admission and content consolidation simultaneously is critical to producing competent and effective teachers.

“Teacher preparation in Nigeria cannot be strengthened unless the questions of admission and content are addressed together,” he said.

He stressed that admission policies into teacher education programmes must be profession-sensitive, saying that recent reviews by the Federal Ministry of Education were steps in the right direction.

Oloyede emphasised that subject mastery remained foundational across all disciplines, including languages, sciences, mathematics, arts, social studies, technology and religious education.

“A teacher cannot teach what he or she does not understand. It is not enough to know a subject; teachers must also understand how learners encounter difficulties in that subject,” he said.

The JAMB registrar, however, decried the mismatch between expectations from teachers and the level of support they received.

“You cannot demand first rate formation for a profession that offers second rate reward; neither can you retain top talent in a profession constantly overshadowed by more attractive alternatives,” he said.

He outlined key elements of a comprehensive reform agenda for teacher preparation to include purposeful recruitment, curriculum consolidation, stronger practicum, governance rationalisation and improved reward systems.

He listed the others to include differentiated but coherent training pathways, caution against compressed training formats, institutional prestige-building and resetting incentives within the profession.

Oloyede advocated a shift from what he described as residual placement to deliberate recruitment into teacher education, with tailored entry criteria and aptitude-based selection.

He added that aptitude screening should be conducted at the institutional level rather than by JAMB, stressing the need for diligence and integrity in the process.

On training structure, he said the Nigeria Certificate in Education should remain a respected specialist route, while degree pathways should be strengthened without undermining foundational teacher education.

He also called for seamless progression across levels of teacher education.

“ Admission determines who enters the craft, while content determines the kind of teacher that emerges,” he said.

Earlier, the Vice-Chancellor of LASUED, Prof. Bidemi Lafiaji-Okuneye, described the lecture as timely and strategic, noting that teacher quality was central to national development.

She said that admission into teacher education should not be treated as a routine administrative exercise, but as a foundation for quality assurance.

According to her, content consolidation involves aligning subject knowledge, pedagogy, values, practicum, digital competence and assessment with the realities of 21st Century learning.

Lafiaji-Okuneye added that teacher education must evolve in response to global changes such as digital disruption, artificial intelligence and shifting labour market demands.

“We must prepare teachers who are not only knowledgeable, but reflective; not only certified, but competent; not only employable, but innovative and ethically grounded,” she said.

She urged stakeholders to use the lecture as an opportunity to strengthen standards, improve curriculum coherence and promote fairness and transparency in admissions.

The vice-chancellor reaffirmed the institution’s commitment to advancing teacher education through research, quality assurance and institutional reforms.

Our correspondent reports that the event was attended by academics, policymakers and other education stakeholders.

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The board announced the extension in a statement issued by its spokesperson, Fabian Benjamin, on Wednesday in Abuja.

Benjamin said the decision was aimed at ensuring that no eligible candidate was denied access to tertiary education.

He said the extension replaces the earlier deadline for the exercise.

He also disclosed that five additional registration centres had been approved to ease pressure in high-demand locations.

The approved centres are the Centre for Open and Distance Learning (CODL), Mini Campus, University of Ilorin, Kwara; Bells University of Technology, and Olabisi Onabanjo University Centre 1, Ago-Iwoye, Ogun.

Others are the Prof. Usman E-Learning Centre, Federal College of Education (Special), Oyo State; and Human Development Initiatives (Grace House), No. 2 Iwaya, Sabo, opposite Onike Girls Junior High School, Onike, Lagos.

Benjamin urged prospective candidates to take advantage of the extension, noting that JAMB offices nationwide, including Professional Registration Centres (PRCs) and Professional Testing Centres (PTCs), remained open for registration.

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Dr Tunji Alausa, Minister of Education, disclosed this in a statement by Folasade Boriowo, Director, Press and Public Relations, Federal Ministry of Education, on Monday in Abuja.

Alausa said that the initiative would address the proliferation of textbooks in schools and ensure that only high-quality, curriculum-compliant learning materials were approved for classroom use.

The minister explained that under the new system, the Nigerian Educational Research and Development Council (NERDC) would retain its statutory responsibility for approving textbooks for Nigerian schools.

Beyond the approval, Alausa said textbooks would now undergo a structured national evaluation process with NERDC ranking to determine the most suitable and highest-quality options for each subject and level of education.

He added that NERDC would establish Standing Subject Committees made up of experts in relevant disciplines to conduct rigorous reviews of textbooks submitted by publishers.

He noted that the committees would assess the materials based on clearly defined academic and pedagogical standards before ranking and approving a limited number of textbooks for classroom use.

According to him, the reform is expected to reduce the excessive number of textbooks currently in circulation, which has often created confusion for teachers, students and parents.

“The ranking system will introduce transparency, order and quality assurance into the textbook approval process while aligning Nigeria’s education system with international best practices in instructional material standardisation,” he said.

Alausa added that any textbook not ranked under the new system would no longer be permitted for use in Nigerian schools, regardless of prior licensing status.

He said that the federal government would engage teachers and other stakeholders to ensure adequate awareness and compliance with the new policy framework.

He said the implementation of the new ranking system would start from the September academic session following the establishment of the Standing Subject Committees and completion of the evaluation framework.

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Nweze made the disclosure in an interview with our correspondent on Friday in Abakaliki.

He noted that the action has earned the governor public support especially, as the general elections approach.

The former chairman of Ohaozara Local Government Area (LGA) of Ebonyi said that Nwifuru’s administration has impacted positively on various sectors of the state and education was ahead.

“The people’s charter of needs mantra of the Nwifuru’s adminiatration has blossomed in agriculture, human. empowerment, infrastructural development, health, sports among others.

“The government’s national and overseas scholarship programme, has however served as the flagship initiative that has transformed the state’s education sector, ” he noted.

He said that the scholarship scheme targeted 1,000 beneficiaries (300 for overseas studies and 700 within Nigeria) and was designed to support academically qualified Ebonyi indigenes.

“This is in pursuit of their postgraduate degrees in critical fields such as engineering, technology, medical sciences, and law among other fields.

“The programme’s selection process is strictly merit-based, ensuring fairness and equitable representation across all LGAs without political considerations,” he said.

Nweze noted that beneficiaries of the overseas scholarship are currently enrolled in reputable universities in the United Kingdom, while others were studying in leading Nigerian universities.

“The programme has recorded outstanding academic performances with a significant number of students graduating with distinctions and many advancing to doctoral studies.

“We have over 200 beneficiaries having either completed or are nearing completion of their Master’s programmes.

“A second batch of over 90 students recently commenced their studies abroad.

‘This scholarship initiative is a major investment in human capital development, providing opportunities for many families, who would not have afforded such education,” he said.

The chairman reiterated that the programme has strengthened public confidence in the administration and positioned the state for long-term socio-economic growth.

“It is also expected that such level of public confidence will be translated into massive support for the governor during the forthcoming governorship polls.

“The future of the youths have been guarnteed with this initiative and will be surely sustained when the initiator remains in office for another term,” he said.

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Wike made this known after a meeting with the leaders of the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) in Abuja .

He warned that continued strikes would have devastating consequences on school children and expressed concern over procedural lapses in handling the dispute.

“Unfortunately, there have been some lapses as the council chairmen were not invited.

“It would not be proper to hold such a crucial meeting without those directly affected,” the Minister said.

He said that he had personally presided over several meetings on the issue of unpaid teachers allowances and had gone further to set up a committee to resolve the matter.

Wike said that in a decisive move to break the deadlock, he intercepted Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) allocations meant for the area councils.

Wike said he directed the treasury to ensure that the funds were paid directly to address the outstanding obligations.

“I was surprised to learn that despite our agreement, there are plans to go on strike. Such action undermines ongoing efforts to resolve the crisis.

“Primary school teachers’ salaries and allowances remain the statutory responsibility of the area councils but the FCT Administration stepped in to prevent disruption in the education system.

“I have repeatedly emphasised that education is vital, and continuous strikes will only negatively affect our children,” he added.

Earlier, Chairman of the NUT FCT Wing, Abdullahi Shafa, described the meeting with the Minister as “very fruitful” .

Shafa acknowledged the administration’s efforts in improving school infrastructure and addressing welfare concerns.

He, however, noted that issues affecting primary teachers, particularly unpaid entitlements remain unresolved.

Shafa also raised concerns over delayed promotions and unfilled vacancies, warning that stagnation in career progression could undermine productivity in schools.

He said the Minister had assured the union of immediate action, admitting that he was previously not fully briefed on the extent of the challenges.

The NUT chairman clarified that the ongoing strike has not yet been suspended, adding that the union’s leadership would meet to review the outcome of the engagement before taking a final decision.

Our correspondent reports that the NUT had last Friday, directed primary and secondary school teachers in the FCT to begin indefinite strike over unresolved welfare concerns.

The union explained that the decision was due to the continued silence of the FCT on the legitimate demands of teachers.

It identified some of the issues as non-implementation and payment of 25 per cent and 35 per cent salary increment, and non-implementation and payment of 40 per cent peculiar allowance.

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