The National Examinations Council (NECO) has attributed the uninterrupted conduct of its examinations despite security challenges across the country to the resilience, commitment and dedication of its workforce.

The Registrar of NECO, Prof. Ibrahim Dantani Wushishi, stated this on Wednesday in Minna, Niger State, at the Council’s 2025 Annual Staff Productivity Award Ceremony.

Wushishi described NECO personnel as the “army of NECO”, noting that their commitment and readiness to work round the clock had enabled the Council to sustain examination operations even in difficult security environments.

He said the activities of Boko Haram insurgents, bandits and kidnappers, as well as sit-at-home orders in parts of the country, had not prevented NECO from conducting its examinations as scheduled.

“During the heydays of Boko Haram, the activities of Boko Haram have never stopped NECO’s examination. Banditry has never stopped NECO examination. Kidnapping has never stopped NECO examination. Sit-at-home order has never stopped NECO examination.”

According to him, NECO had continued to distribute examination logistics as scheduled, whether such operations were required during the day or at night.

“These are what the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria do during their activities or any time they are detailed to carry out security functions. So, the army of NECO, I salute you,” he said.

The registrar said the annual productivity awards were designed not only to celebrate individual achievements but also to motivate personnel, improve service delivery and promote continuous improvement across the Council.

He said the 2025 awards recognised exceptional contributions by staff and stakeholders while encouraging healthy competition and a culture of improved performance.

Wushishi explained that the awards covered retirees and outstanding personnel across the Registrar’s Office, departments, zonal directorates, 36 state offices, the Liaison and LCT offices, as well as outstanding state coordinators and drivers.

He added that special recognition was also given to outstanding students who excelled in the Council’s various examinations.

According to him, productivity goes beyond completing assigned tasks, stressing that it involves delivering quality outcomes with integrity, timeliness and measurable impact.

He urged the award recipients to serve as role models to other workers and encouraged all NECO personnel to embrace perseverance, teamwork, unity and continuous self-improvement.

Wushishi also acknowledged the contributions of stakeholders to the Council’s operations, saying their collaboration had helped NECO sustain the smooth conduct of examinations across Nigeria and foreign countries.

Also speaking, the Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Aviation, Hon. Abdullahi Idris Garba, described the ceremony as more than a presentation of certificates and awards, saying it demonstrated recognition of excellence and commitment to improving performance within NECO.

Garba said the productivity awards were intended to recognise significant contributions by staff and stakeholders, boost morale and promote healthy competition that would improve performance and strengthen confidence in Nigeria’s examination system.

He stressed that the credibility of examinations depended not only on policies but also on the commitment, competence and integrity of the personnel responsible for implementing them.

The lawmaker urged NECO to maintain the highest standards of integrity, prudence and efficiency in the conduct of examinations, while commending the Council for its efforts to improve productivity and strengthen operational readiness.

He also urged staff to draw inspiration from the recognition of outstanding performance and remain guided by fairness, transparency and accountability, noting that the outcome of their work directly affects the lives and future opportunities of students.

At the ceremony, NECO honoured its Cross River State Coordinator, Miss Ruth Nnamani, as the Best State Coordinator of the Year.

The awards for excellence in performance went to Mrs Tabitha Kopdungha of Plateau State, Mr Garba Sandy of Niger State and Mr Rabiu Yakubu of Kaduna State.

The Council also conferred Certificates of Service on 55 staff retirees for 2025 in recognition of their years of loyalty, commitment and dedication to service.

Among the retirees recognised were the former Director of Registration, Mrs Hajara Ali; Director, South South Zone, Mr Irem Obiahu; Director of Test Development, Mr Michael Okei; and Acting Director, South East Zone, Mr Samuel Adiniyi.

Awards were also presented to the six zonal directors, the FCT Liaison Office, as well as coordinators of the Council’s 36 state offices and Abuja.

In the Senior School Certificate Examination category, Akai Bernice Kuyet and Eke Felix Emenike, both of School Sense Barnawa, Kaduna State, received the female and male awards respectively.

For the Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE), Miss Michael Daniela Chiamaka of Christland High School, Ikeja, Lagos, and Salihu Amir Umar of Kadwel International Schools, Kaduna, won the female and male categories respectively.

The National Gifted Examination (NGE) awards went to Master Ezeundu Samuel Akachukwu of God’s Wisdom International School, Anambra, in the male category, while Ubochi Akunnaya of Diamond Special Schools, Owerri, won the female category.

For the National Common Entrance Examination, Alocha Naeto Daniel of Remmon Home Academy received the male award, while Adenuga Monsurat Feyisara of Ar-Rahman Montessori School, Ojota, won the female category.

The NECO Staff Productivity Awards is an annual programme established to recognise exceptional contributions by staff and stakeholders and encourage higher standards of performance.

The Council said the programme was aimed at boosting morale, motivation and productivity while fostering a culture of excellence, healthy competition and continuous improvement in the delivery of educational services.