Former NECO Chairman Accuses Government of Sabotage and Fund Misappropriation
Prof Abubakar Mohammed, the former Chairman of the National Examination Council (NECO), has accused government officials of deliberate efforts to undermine and frustrate the examination body.
Mohammed alleged that government officials withdrew a substantial sum of N6 billion in examination fees, failing to account for the funds or return them to NECO.
During NECO’s inaugural award ceremony in Minna, Niger State, attended by educationists and policymakers, Mohammed expressed his concern about the actions of certain officials within the Ministry of Education.
Read Also : “NECO Identifies 93 Schools for Cheating, Bans 52 Supervisors”
He claimed these officials aimed to sabotage the indigenous examination body, insisting that some elements within the government did not want NECO to continue operating.
“The government, particularly officials in the Ministry of Education, are intentionally hindering the progress of NECO. I stand by my assertion; some government officials are working against the existence of NECO,” Mohammed stated unequivocally.
He highlighted the withdrawal of N6 billion from NECO’s accounts, emphasizing that the funds were collected as examination fees from candidates. To date, there has been no explanation or accountability for the handling of this substantial amount of money.
Also Read : 10 Nigerian Newspapers Highlights for Monday, December 11, 2023
Additionally, Mohammed revealed that the Federal Government had not released any subvention to support NECO’s operations. He also criticized the government for displaying a preference for the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) over NECO, impacting the latter’s ability to conduct examinations effectively.
According to Mohammed, there was an agreement between NECO and WAEC on the rotation of examination conduct, but government officials consistently favored WAEC, leading to the regional body permanently scheduling its exams between May and June.
In response, Prof Danlami Wushishi, the NECO Registrar, announced the institution’s new scholarship program for top-performing candidates in the gifted children examination.
Pay Attention To : I’m not in competition with you” – Shaibu tells Obaseki Amidst Football Tragedy
He commended the dedication of NECO’s staff, highlighting their commitment to meeting the organization’s mandates and timelines despite the challenges faced.
Wushishi emphasized the collective effort of all staff members to enhance the quality of services provided by NECO, underscoring the commitment to maintaining their targets and improving the organization’s standards.
