The Senate has passed a bill requiring every Nigerian child to sit for the National Common Entrance Examination (NCEE), Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE), and Senior Secondary Certificate Examination (SSCE).
The new law repeals the existing NECO Act and strengthens the council’s role in conducting and regulating national exams.
Lawmakers said it will help standardize education and ensure fair academic assessment for all students.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio said the reform “guarantees structured and fair academic progression for every Nigerian child” and stressed that “education remains the strongest foundation for national development.”
NECO will now design, conduct, and manage these three exams, while setting minimum academic standards for schools.
Lawmakers noted the move ensures no child is left behind, describing the exams as national benchmarks for quality education.
The bills have been sent to the House of Representatives for approval before being forwarded to President Bola Tinubu for assent.
