The anti-impersonation procedures put in place by the National Examinations Council, NECO, could be a significant milestone in the fight against examination fraud. Indeed, a recent warning issued by the council urged school proprietors and other stakeholders to stop registering candidates by proxy. The fraudulent practice, according to the council, often results in impersonation and presentation of fake results.
To stamp out all forms of examination cheating, NECO has deployed various measures, including the use of biometric data capture device, use of personalised answer booklets and affixing candidates’ photograph and date of birth on original certificates. In addition, the NECO e-Verify, an online platform for confirmation and verification of NECO results, was launched last year.
Any certificate purportedly issued by the board but which cannot be verified or authenticated using the NECO e-Verify platform is considered fake. The board is therefore appealing to state ministries of education and school proprietors to ensure that only the personal details of genuine candidates are used for registration for all NECO examinations.
Candidates found to have engaged in impersonation during the 2024 Internal Senior School Certificate Examination have had their results withheld. This is part of the board’s robust policy to combat all forms of examination cheating.
It is therefore imperative that all stakeholders work with NECO to ensure the integrity of the examinations and the credibility of the results. Security in examination processes is crucial to promoting fairness and trust in the education system, thereby ensuring equitable opportunities for all candidates.
Ultimately, the promotion of transparent and secure examination practices is critical to enhancing the value of academic qualifications and promoting a fair and impartial educational environment. NECO, by taking stringent measures against examination fraud, demonstrates its commitment to academic excellence and preserving the integrity of the educational system in Nigeria.