The National Examinations Council (NECO) has issued a stern warning to school proprietors, administrators, and other relevant stakeholders, urging them to refrain from the illegal practice of enrolling candidates for its examinations by proxy.
This admonition was made public in a statement issued in Abuja on Monday through the acting Director of Information and Public Relations, Mr. Azeez Sani.
In the statement, NECO expressed grave concern over the growing trend of proxy registrations, which it described as not only unethical but also fraught with risks, including identity theft.
This malpractice, the Council observed, often results in the issuance of falsified results, which undermine the integrity of the entire educational system and the credibility of the certificates it awards.
NECO’s Stance Against Proxy Registrations
NECO is deeply committed to upholding the integrity of its examination process and, as such, will not tolerate any actions that compromise the authenticity of its results or the credibility of the certificates it issues.
According to Mr. Sani, registering candidates by proxy presents a significant threat to the credibility of the Council’s examinations and facilitates fraudulent activities such as identity theft.
This unethical practice allows individuals to obtain results and certificates under false identities, which can lead to long-term consequences, including the dilution of the value of NECO’s qualifications.
The Council highlighted that such fraudulent activities harm not only the educational system but also the future prospects of genuine candidates.
It undermines the hard work of students who diligently prepare for their exams and threatens to erode the trust placed in Nigeria’s examination bodies.
Measures to Combat Examination Malpractices
In a bid to stamp out these and other forms of examination malpractice, NECO has implemented a series of stringent measures designed to safeguard the integrity of its examination process.
Mr. Sani elaborated on these measures, explaining that they include the use of advanced technologies such as Biometric Data Capturing Devices, which ensure that only the genuine candidates who have been properly registered can sit for the examinations.
Furthermore, NECO has adopted the use of customized answer booklets, which are specially designed to prevent impersonation during the examination.
Each booklet is uniquely associated with a candidate’s registration details, making it virtually impossible for another individual to substitute for a registered candidate.
Additionally, the Council now embosses the photograph and date of birth of each candidate on the original certificates it issues, adding an extra layer of security and authenticity to its documentation.
These innovations, NECO asserts, are critical to ensuring that only qualified and duly registered candidates receive its certificates.
The Council has pledged to continue refining its systems to stay ahead of those who seek to circumvent the rules and engage in fraudulent practices.
The Role of NECO e-Verify Platform
In furtherance of its commitment to promoting transparency and curbing examination malpractices, NECO introduced the NECO e-verify platform in 2023.
This online portal allows institutions, employers, and other stakeholders to confirm the authenticity of NECO results and certificates with ease.
Mr. Sani stressed that any certificate or result purported to have been issued by NECO, but which cannot be verified through this platform, should be considered fake.
This platform represents a significant leap forward in combating the use of forged certificates, which has become a common issue in various sectors.
By making it easier to verify the authenticity of results, NECO hopes to eliminate the incentive for individuals to engage in examination malpractice or to present fake results for admission, employment, or other purposes.
Call to Action for Stakeholders
In his concluding remarks, Mr. Sani urged state ministries of education, school proprietors, and all relevant stakeholders to play their part in maintaining the integrity of NECO’s examination process.
He called on them to ensure that only the personal details of genuine candidates are submitted during the registration process for all NECO-conducted examinations.
Mr. Sani reiterated that the Council will not hesitate to take disciplinary action against any individual or institution found to be involved in the practice of proxy registration or any other form of examination malpractice.
Such actions, he warned, could include the cancellation of results, the disqualification of candidates, and legal consequences for offenders.
Ensuring a Bright Future for Nigeria’s Educational System
NECO’s determination to root out all forms of examination malpractice is a key part of its broader mission to restore and enhance the quality of education in Nigeria.
The Council’s measures, combined with the vigilance and cooperation of all stakeholders, will help ensure that the certificates it awards are a true reflection of candidates’ abilities and hard work.
As NECO continues its efforts to enhance the credibility and integrity of its examinations, the message to all involved is clear: there is no place for fraud, and only those who genuinely earn their qualifications will be recognized.
