NECO Denies Operating ‘Miracle Centre’ in Kogi

The National Examinations Council (NECO) has dismissed allegations that Government Secondary School, Olowa, in Dekina Local Government Area of Kogi State operates as a “miracle examination centre,” insisting that the school is a legitimate examination centre with a long-standing history.

The Council made the clarification in a statement on Friday, July 17 following comments reportedly made by the Kogi State Commissioner for Information and Communications, Kingsley Fanwo.

While expressing sympathy to victims of the recent abduction at the school, NECO also commended the Kogi State Government and security agencies for securing the release of the remaining victims.

However, the examination body rejected the description of the school as a miracle centre, maintaining that it had been conducting examinations there for decades.

READ ALSO: JUST IN: Gunmen Abduct Principal, NECO Staff, Students During Exam In Kogi School

According to NECO, Government Secondary School, Olowa, is a state-owned institution that has existed for more than 40 years and has presented candidates for the Senior School Certificate Examination (SSCE) since 2000.

The Council also noted that the now-rescued principal, Elder Daniel Iyamaa, and the kidnapped examination supervisor, Solomon Audu, are employees of the Kogi State Government.

It further stated that all 28 candidates registered by the school for the 2026 NECO Senior School Certificate Examination are bona fide students of the institution and not external candidates.

NECO added that the school’s enrolment figures have remained consistent over the past five years, noting that the Kogi State Government also sponsored 51 candidates from the school for the 2026 West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE).

The Council disclosed that its Kogi State office had requested security support ahead of the examination due to previous attacks on schools during external examinations.

Reaffirming its stance against examination malpractice, NECO said it operates a “zero-tolerance policy on examination malpractice,” adding that reforms introduced under its Registrar, Professor Dantani Ibrahim Wushishi, have significantly reduced malpractice cases across the country.

The Council urged public officials and other stakeholders to verify facts before making statements capable of undermining public confidence in institutions.

It advised stakeholders to “verify facts before making public statements capable of damaging the reputation of institutions or causing unnecessary public concern.”

TVC News had earlier reported that the Kogi State Governor, Usman Ododo, received the school principal, a National Examinations Council (NECO) official, and two students rescued after they were abducted during an attack on an unauthorized examination centre in Olowa, Dekina Local Government Area.

The victims were rescued during a joint security operation, with sustained pressure from security operatives forcing the kidnappers to abandon them and flee.