NECO Rejects 'Miracle Centre' Label for Kogi School After Exam Abduction

The National Examinations Council (NECO) has dismissed allegations that Government Secondary School, Olowa, in Dekina Local Government Area of Kogi State, is a "miracle centre," insisting the school is a legitimate public institution with a long-standing record of conducting examinations.

The clarification follows the abduction of five people—including the school principal, an external examination supervisor, and students—during the ongoing 2026 Senior School Certificate Examination (SSCE). Four of the victims have since been rescued by security agencies.

In a statement issued by NECO's Acting Director of Information and Public Relations, Azeez Sani, the council said the school has operated for over 40 years and has consistently presented candidates for the SSCE since 2000.

NECO also refuted comments reportedly made by the Kogi State Commissioner for Information, Kingsley Fanwo, who described the school as a "miracle centre." According to the council, all 28 candidates registered by the school for the 2026 SSCE are genuine students and not external candidates.

The examination body released enrolment records showing the school presented 21 candidates in 2021, 20 in 2022, 28 in 2023, 40 in 2024, and 20 in 2025. It added that the Kogi State Government also sponsored 51 students from the school for the 2026 West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE).

NECO said it had taken proactive steps to improve security at examination centres by notifying security agencies ahead of the 2026 SSCE, following an earlier attack on another school in Kogi State during the WASSCE.

Reaffirming its commitment to credible examinations, the council stated that it maintains a zero-tolerance policy on examination malpractice and has introduced reforms that have significantly reduced malpractice cases in recent years.

The council urged public officials and stakeholders to verify facts before making public statements that could undermine confidence in Nigeria's education system.

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