70,603 candidates have sat for the 2024 National Common Entrance Examinations (NCCE) across Nigeria today.
Ibrahim Wushishi, the registrar, National Examinations Council (NECO) said while briefing the press at a monitoring exercise at the Wuse II government secondary school, Abuja.
Wushishi said despite having more centres for the examinations this year (599) as against the 564 centres last year, the number of candidates who sat for the exams this year is lesser than those who sat for the exams last year (72,865).
The registrar attributed the low turnout to the economic situation in the country.
“This could be attributed to so many factors. economic factor is the most prevalent factor that maybe hindered this year’s registration.
“We all know what is happening in the economy and it is affecting everybody and the bulk of the population in the rural areas. It’s the parents that sponsor the candidate and sometimes politicians, sometimes traditional rulers so and you can see why economic factor was the most prevailing factor hindering this registration Senator”
Lawal Adamu, Chairman Senate Committee on education, basic and secondary called on other senators and house of reps members to roll out sponsorships in their various constituencies, for both candidates of the NCCE and NECO exams.
“ not just my community but through out my state, we contributed over 250 million, and gave out to parents to be able to pay for the exams
“I’m calling on other senators and house members to key into this also. Because this is a foundation for every child”
Speaking further, he urged NECO to consider adapting the computer based system just like JAMB
Didi Walson- Jack, the permanent secretary, ministry of education commended NECO for their efforts in making sure that the common entrance exams was swift and the candidates were able to write the exams in a good environment.
