The Nigerian Senate has enacted legislation requiring every Nigerian child to take the National Common Entrance Examination (NCEE), Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE), and Senior Secondary Certificate Examination (SSCE) as part of the country's educational reforms. The proposal repeals the current National Examinations Council (NECO) Act and broadens the council's authority to administer, regulate, and standardize all national examinations.
According to parliamentarians, the new law intends to ensure that academic examinations in Nigeria's basic and secondary school levels are consistent, fair, and of high quality.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio described the bill as a major step toward strengthening Nigeria’s education framework.
“This reform guarantees structured and fair academic progression for every Nigerian child,” Akpabio said. “Education remains the strongest foundation for national development.”
Under the new system, NECO will be in charge of planning, administering, and managing the three mandatory examinations, as well as establishing baseline academic criteria for schools worldwide.
Senators stated that the legislation will establish a national standard for quality education, assist in the early identification of learning gaps, and ensure that no child falls behind in the quest for academic achievement.
The measure has been delivered to the House of Representatives for approval before being forwarded to President Bola Tinubu for his signature.