The National Examinations Council (NECO) released the results of the June/July 2024 Senior Secondary School Examination.
The examining body reported that 60.55% of students achieved five credits and above, including crucial subjects like English and Mathematics.
This was disclosed on Thursday, September 19, by NECO’s Registrar and Chief Executive, Prof. Dantani Wushishi, during a press conference in Minna.
Not less than 1,367,736 candidates participated with a near-equal distribution of genders: 702,112 males and 665,624 females. Wushishi emphasized the positive outcome, noting that 828,284 candidates (60.55%) secured at least five credits in essential subjects, while a broader category, including those without English and Mathematics, showed 1,147,597 candidates (83.90%) achieving the same.
However, the results were marred by a serious incident of mass cheating.
Wushishi announced that a school in Ekiti State has been de-recognized due to widespread malpractice in two core subjects and one science subject.
This action is part of NECO’s broader crackdown on examination irregularities, as 40 schools across 17 states were implicated in whole-school cheating.
The integrity of the examination process is further called into question, with 21 supervisors from 12 states recommended for blacklisting due to serious infractions including aiding and abetting cheating, negligence, and even drunkenness during the supervision of the exams.
Wushishi highlighted a positive trend in the reduction of malpractice, reporting that 8,437 candidates were identified for various forms of cheating this year, down from 12,030 in 2023. He indicated that the schools involved will be summoned for discussions, after which NECO will impose appropriate sanctions.