Education
64,000 candidates sits for 2025 Common entrance examination
Mariam Abeeb
A total of 64,000 candidates from Nigeria, Benin Republic, and Togo have participated in the 2025 National Common Entrance Examination (NCEE) for admission into Federal Government Colleges, conducted by the National Examinations Council (NECO).
Speaking after monitoring the exercise at Model Secondary School, Maitama, and Government Secondary School, Tudun Wada, Abuja, the Minister of State for Education, Prof. Suwaiba Ahmad, expressed satisfaction with the smooth conduct of the examination.
“I’m very happy with the way the exams have been conducted. They started on time, students were orderly, and invigilators were present and active. We had 64,000 candidates, 30,000 male and 34,000 female, which shows a strong interest in our unity colleges,” she said.
The minister emphasized that the turnout reflects continued public trust in the unity school system.
“Nigerians are still eager to have their children in Federal Government Colleges. This turnout shows that parents still value the role of unity schools in national cohesion,” she added.
Also speaking, NECO Registrar, Prof. Ibrahim Wushishi, confirmed that Lagos State recorded the highest number of registered candidates with over 15,000, while the Republic of Togo had the lowest with 17 candidates.
“We had about 109 candidates from Benin Republic and Togo combined, all Nigerian citizens residing there. This is a truly regional exercise that affirms the reach and reputation of our unity colleges,” he said.
Wushishi noted that no challenges were reported during the conduct of the exam.
“Materials arrived on time, the exam started as scheduled, and so far, we’ve seen no issues. This smooth process gives us hope that upcoming senior secondary exams, both WAEC and NECO, will follow suit,” he stated.
The NECO boss also acknowledged the inclusion of children with special needs, assuring that accommodations like braille materials and support personnel were provided.
On her part, the Director of Senior Secondary Education at the Federal Ministry of Education, Binta Abdulkadir, said admissions into unity schools will be based on merit, state quota, and exigency, the latter catering largely to children of civil servants.
“Final admissions will depend on the released results, but we remain committed to a fair and inclusive process,” she noted.
Education
Bauchi Gov reaffirms commitment to basic education
Mariam Abeeb
The Executive Governor of Bauchi State, Senator Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed has reaffirmed his administration’s unwavering commitment to strengthening basic education .
He made this known during a working visit to the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) headquarters in Abuja.
Speaking during the visit, Governor Mohammed emphasized the critical importance of foundational learning, stating, “Without basic education, nothing works.”
He reiterated that his government remains resolute in advancing the basic education sector, describing it as the bedrock of societal transformation.
Highlighting Bauchi State’s educational reach, the Governor remarked, “Bauchi is one of the biggest states with access to education, so we also accommodate neighboring states.”
He expressed pride in the state’s role in expanding educational opportunities across the region.
Governor Mohammed commended the leadership of the UBEC Executive Secretary, Dr. Aisha Garba, and praised the visible impact of UBEC’s interventions in Bauchi State.
He noted the state has been a significant beneficiary of the Commission’s initiatives, particularly the Better Education Service Delivery for All (BESDA) program.
“We have executed numerous projects through BESDA in areas such as infrastructure, enrollment, basic education, and human capital development,” the Governor stated, while also affirming that Bauchi remains fully up to date in accessing its UBEC matching grants—demonstrating a proactive approach to maximizing available educational resources.
The visit underscores Bauchi State’s continued leadership in educational reform and its productive partnership with UBEC in delivering inclusive, quality education to children within and beyond its borders.
In her remarks, Dr. Aisha Garba, Executive Secretary of UBEC, warmly welcomed Governor Mohammed and his entourage.
She expressed deep appreciation for the Governor’s strong leadership and notable achievements in basic education across Bauchi State.
Dr. Garba specifically lauded the construction of “mega schools” in the state, describing them as comparable to “smart schools” due to their state-of-the-art facilities and innovative learning environments.
She also commended the recruitment of qualified teachers as a pivotal step in improving education quality.
“Bauchi State stands out not just for accessing its UBEC matching grants but for utilizing them effectively to drive real change,” she noted. “This is a reflection of true commitment and accountability in the pursuit of educational excellence.”
UBEC reaffirmed its readiness to sustain and deepen its collaboration with Bauchi State, expressing confidence that their shared vision will continue to yield meaningful, long-term improvements in Nigeria’s basic education landscape.
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