"The National Examinations Council (NECO) has dismissed allegations that Government Secondary School, Olowa, operates as a miracle examination centre in Kogi State. The council insists that the school is a legitimate examination centre with a long-standing history."
NECO Denies Operating 'Miracle Examination Centre' in Kogi State
Published: July 2026 | Source: CampusAI News
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Overview
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" [citation:1][citation:3][citation:5]. The allegations followed the abduction of five persons at the school on Tuesday during the ongoing 2026 Senior School Certificate Examination (SSCE) [citation:2][citation:7][citation:9].
NECO insists that the school is a legitimate examination centre with a long-standing history, and the allegations are false and contrary to official records [citation:1][citation:4][citation:6].
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Key Details
| Detail | Information |
|--------|-------------|
| Incident Date | Tuesday, July 14, 2026 (reported July 16, 2026) |
| School | Government Secondary School, Olowa, Dekina LGA, Kogi State |
| School Status | Public secondary school owned by Kogi State Government |
| School History | Existed for over 40 years; presenting candidates for NECO SSCE since 2000 |
| 2026 Candidates | 28 bona fide students (not external candidates) |
| Enrollment Consistency | 2021: 21, 2022: 20, 2023: 28, 2024: 40, 2025: 20 candidates |
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The Origin of the Allegations
The controversy began following an abduction incident at the school during the ongoing 2026 NECO SSCE. Gunmen attacked the school, abducting five persons, including:
- Elder Daniel Iyamaa — School Principal and Grade Level 17 officer in the Kogi State Civil Service
- Mr. Solomon Audu — Examination Supervisor and Grade Level 12 officer employed by the Kogi State Government, posted to Community Secondary School, Effin
- Three candidates (all subsequently rescued) [citation:1][citation:2][citation:7]
Following the incident, the Kogi State Commissioner for Information and Communications, Hon. Kingsley Fanwo, reportedly described the school as a "miracle centre," a term commonly used for examination centres where malpractice is encouraged [citation:3][citation:6][citation:8]. The allegations were also echoed by the commanding officer of the 21 Battalion of the Nigerian Army, Lt. Col. Godiya Solomon Monde [citation:9].
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NECO's Position
In a statement issued on Friday, July 17, 2026, by its Acting Director of Information and Public Relations, Mr. Azeez Sani, NECO rejected the allegations [citation:1][citation:4][citation:11].
Key Arguments:
1. The School is a Legitimate Public Institution
NECO clarified that Government Secondary School, Olowa is a public institution owned by the Kogi State Government that has existed for over 40 years and has consistently presented candidates for the NECO SSCE since 2000 [citation:1][citation:5][citation:10].
2. The Candidates are Bona Fide Students
The Council stated that all 28 candidates registered by the school for the 2026 SSCE are legitimate students duly enrolled by the school in collaboration with the Kogi State Government, and not external candidates [citation:2][citation:3][citation:6].
3. Consistent Enrolment Records
To disprove the "miracle centre" label, NECO released the school's SSCE enrolment over the past five years [citation:1][citation:4][citation:12]:
| Year | Number of Candidates |
|------|---------------------|
| 2021 | 21 |
| 2022 | 20 |
| 2023 | 28 |
| 2024 | 40 |
| 2025 | 20 |
| 2026 | 28 |
> The consistent figures do not show the suspiciously bloated numbers typical of "miracle centres" [citation:7].
4. Kogi State Government Paid WASSCE Fees
NECO further noted that the Kogi State Government paid the examination fees for 51 candidates from the same school for the 2026 West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) [citation:1][citation:4][citation:6], confirming its status as a recognised public secondary school.
5. Proactive Security Measures
Before the commencement of the 2026 NECO SSCE, the Council's Kogi State Coordinator had written to security agencies requesting enhanced protection for examination centres across the state. This move followed a prior terrorist attack on Government Secondary School, Iluke, in Ijumu Local Government Area during the 2026 WASSCE [citation:1][citation:3][citation:10].
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Benefits of a Legitimate Examination Centre
NECO emphasizes that a legitimate examination centre provides a safe and regulated environment for students to write their examinations, in line with the council's efforts to uphold the integrity of the examination process [citation:1][citation:8]. "Miracle centres" are illegal, unregistered facilities that help candidates cheat; they often fail to pay registration fees to NECO and lack consistent candidate records [citation:7].
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Assurance and Reassurance
NECO has assured the public and students that the accusations against the school are unfounded [citation:1][citation:3][citation:6]. The council:
- Expressed sympathy for the victims of the abduction [citation:2][citation:4]
- Commenced the Kogi State Government and security agencies for securing the rescue of the remaining abductees [citation:4][citation:6]
- Reiterated its zero-tolerance policy on examination malpractice under the leadership of its Registrar and Chief Executive, Professor Dantani Ibrahim Wushishi [citation:3][citation:5][citation:8]
- Noted that reforms introduced over the past five years have significantly reduced cases of examination malpractice nationwide [citation:3][citation:4][citation:12]
NECO urged public officials and stakeholders to verify facts before making public statements capable of damaging the reputation of institutions or creating unnecessary public anxiety [citation:1][citation:4][citation:10].
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Quick Action Checklist
- ✅ For students and parents: Trust that NECO-registered examination centres operate under strict oversight and accountability
- ✅ For public officials: Verify facts before making public statements about educational institutions
- ✅ For school administrators: Maintain accurate enrolment records and ensure timely communication with examination bodies
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> 📌 Editor's Note: This article is based on official NECO announcements and verified news sources as of July 2026. Always verify critical information through the official NECO website or at accredited examination centres.
