Edino Chubiyo Cornelius 
ABUJA, Nigeria – The NECO Kogi school has defended the integrity of Government Secondary School, Olowa, in Dekina Local Government Area, rejecting claims that the institution operates as a “miracle examination centre” following the abduction of five people during the ongoing Senior School Certificate Examination (SSCE).
In a statement issued on Friday, the National Examinations Council (NECO) says the allegation is inaccurate and misrepresents the status of the school, which it describes as a recognised public institution with a long history of participating in national examinations.
The examination body also expresses sympathy for the victims of the abduction and welcomes the efforts of the Kogi State Government and security agencies that secured the rescue of four of those kidnapped.
However, NECO disputes comments attributed to the Kogi State Commissioner for Information and Communications, Kingsley Fanwo, describing the school as a “miracle centre.”
According to the council, Government Secondary School, Olowa, has existed for more than 40 years and has presented candidates for the Senior School Certificate Examination since 2000.
NECO says the school’s principal, Elder Daniel Iyamaa, who was among those abducted, is a Grade Level 17 officer in the Kogi State Civil Service, while the examination supervisor, Solomon Audu, is a Grade Level 12 officer employed by the state government.
The council also states that all 28 candidates registered by the school for the 2026 SSCE are bona fide students rather than external candidates.
It adds that the school’s enrolment has remained stable, with between 20 and 40 candidates sitting the examination annually over the past five years, while the Kogi State Government sponsored 51 students from the school for this year’s WAEC examinations.
NECO further explains that before the commencement of the 2026 SSCE, its Kogi State office had requested additional security for examination centres following an earlier attack on Government Secondary School, Iluke, during the WAEC examinations.
The council reiterates its commitment to maintaining credible public examinations, saying reforms introduced under its current leadership have significantly reduced examination malpractice nationwide.
About the Author
Mirian Gom 
Hussaini Ibrahim 
Korede Abdullah 