The National Examinations Council (NECO) says about five states are owing its over N2billion for conduct of Senior Secondary School Certificate Examination (SSCE).

Registrar of NECO, Prof. Ibrahim Dantani Wushishi, disclosed this on Friday while monitoring the ongoing secondary school certificate examination in some schools in Lagos.

Prof. Wushishi, who did not mention the five states involved, said the council is in constantly touched with the affected states to meet their financial obligation of sponsoring candidates for the SSCE.

His words: “Some states are responding. There are some that have not responded but we are hopeful that they will pick up their bills.

“We are have made the states to understand the need to pay the over N2billion owed the council. We require the money to conduct examinations and run the offices. The Federal Government only pays for staff salary.”

The NECO boss commended President Muhammadu Buhari and Minister of Education, Mallam Adamu Adamu for excluding the council from remitting 25 percent of its revenue to government coffer.

Wushishi said following the presidency directive, NECO was excluded in June 2022 from remitting 25 percent to government and that the council is currently involved in reconciliation of account with relevant agency.

The NECO registrar explained that he has repositioned the council in the last one year for effective service delivery and that results are showing with the performance of staff.

“Since I came on board last year, my administration has repositioned the council. I have been able to change the mindset of staff to take their work serious. We have achieved results and more achievements are coming,” Prof. Wushishi stated. (Daily Sun)

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