Education

NECO acquires high performance OMR scanner to enhance examination efficiency

Published

6 days ago

March 6, 2025

Mariam Sanni

The National Examinations Council (NECO) has acquired a high performance Optical Mark Recognition (OMR) Scanner to enhance the efficiency, Credibility and Security of its examinations.

In a statement by the Ag. Director of information and Public Relations, Azeez Sani , the Registrar/Chief Executive, prof. Dantani Ibrahim wushishi at the inauguration of the newly Installed Scanning machine at the ICT Department in Minna , said it was part of the Council’s efforts to improve accuracy, speed and reliability in its examination process.

Prof. Wushishi disclosed that the scantron Insight 1500c is a high performance OMR Scanner known for its precision, speed and ability to handle large volume of scripts efficiently.

He explained that “with this new addition, we will significantly enhance our data processing capabilities, ensuring faster and more accurate results processing for millions of candidates across the world”.

According to him, the newly acquired scanner has the capability to scan over 15,000 OMR sheets per hour and 250 per minute.

The Registrar stated that the scanning machine which cost about N500 million, has the capacity to simultaneously scan and score OMR sheets.

Prof. Wushishi explained that the acquisition of the high-speed scanner is a testament to NECO’s commitment to leveraging technology in all its examination processes.

The Director ICT Department, Mr. Goddy Usioboh, in has address, said the acquisition of the new scanner aligns with NECO’s Vision of delivering World-class examination services while maintaining the integrity of its assessment.

The Technical Adviser from Scantron Company, Minessota, USA, Mr. Tom Harry who trained the staff of the ICT Department on the Operations of the new scanning machine, expressed satisfaction with the staff high level of dedication and diligence during the training.

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Education

Nigeria’s Intervention Paying Dividends in Our Education Sector-Prof.Gomez,Gambian Minister for Higher Education

Published

2 weeks ago

February 27, 2025

The Gleamer

Joel Ajayi

Minister of Higher Education, Research, Science and Technology of The Gambia,Prof.Pierre Gomez has conveyed the gratitude of the Government of The Gambia to the Federal Government of Nigeria, saying Nigeria’s intervention in the education sector of their country is paying dividends.

The Minister,who disclosed, Wednesday, during a visit to the Nigerian Technical Aid Corps in Abuja,how pleased the President of their country is at the glaring impact of the injection of some Engineering Professors of the Nigerian Technical Aid Corps into the running of the University of Applied Science, Engineering and Technology (USET) of The Gambia,also revealed that the Nigerian Professors have changed the narrative in the country’s higher education with regards to skills, innovation and enterprise development,such that enrollment at the USET has increased from 47 to over 200 in the last academic season.

While commending the professional astuteness of the TAC Volunteers currently serving in The Gambia,Prof. Gomez informed that the Engineering Professors were championing a new wave of thinking out of the box that are aimed at fashioning out self- funding initiatives for Universities that had , hitherto ,depended solely on government’s subvention.

The Minister,who also informed of the establishment of a new University of Education in his country, said they had looked towards the direction of Nigeria to help in fostering the University into a place of excellence,since all Universities must be seen as places of excellence and Nigeria has all it takes to foster such demands.

He also added that apart from coming to demonstrate appreciation to Nigeria,the delegation specifically had another reason for the visit.He said:
“Today we are here again to request the help of our big brother, Nigeria.This is because your Volunteers have performed greatly well in our country. The great dynamism they have brought into our country’s higher education is changing narratives everywhere and we cannot but request for more hands to mentor our teachers and administrators to get things right.

“You gave us all we needed before. The Engineering Professors you gave to our country are more than anyone can ever ask in terms of their productivity and results on ground. But here we are again,we are begging your professionals to come and mentor our people in the area of Education,a different area from what the Engineers are already doing.”

While assuring the people of The Gambia of the continuous support of Nigeria in the area of her educational needs,the Director General of the Nigerian Technical Aid Corps,Rt.Hon.Yusuf Buba Yakub said the whole idea of NTAC was to fill such gaps among brother nations in the ACP countries.

He congratulated the Government and people of The Gambia on the roles Prof.Gomez has continued to play to make better the higher education sector of the country,adding that the new University of Education would aid in no small way in producing the needed crop of teachers that would deepen education and research in the West African nation.

Buba pledged to immediately set in motion the process of offering the requested assistance to The Gambia in the weeks ahead, stressing that the impact of today’s decision on the country ‘s teaching and learning needs would reverberate positively in the sector in the next twenty years.

Among those who were part of the Minister’s delegation were:Dr.Alieu B.Senghore, Chairman of the University of Education,The Gambia;Mr.Aboubacarr Jallow,Provost of the University,as well as Mr.Siaka Saidilzigh,a Principal Assistant Secretary at the country’s Ministry of Higher Education and Mr.Babucarr Dumbuya,First Secretary at the High Commission of The Gambia in Abuja.

From the Nigerian Technical Aid Corps were the Director of Programmes at the Agency,Amb.Zakari Usman and Mr.Lawandy Bala, Special Assistant to the Director General on Protocol Matters,among others.

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