The National Examination Council (NECO) recently announced the launch of its electronic verification platform called e-Verify. This innovative solution aims to guarantee the authenticity of examination results, while also simplifying the result verification process.

The introduction of e-Verify has the potential to deter the use of falsified results for university admissions and employment purposes. In this blog post, we will explore the key features of NECO’s e-Verify platform and its significance in ensuring accuracy, security, and operational efficiency in result verification.

Enhancing Result Verification and Deterring Forgery

NECO’s Registrar, Prof. Dantani Wushishi, expressed confidence in e-Verify, highlighting its ability to provide quick verification of results. This platform offers a range of benefits, including increased confidence in the authenticity of results, reduced chances of forgery, and improved operational efficiency. By adopting e-Verify, NECO aims to streamline the result verification process, eliminating the need for physical verification requests directed to the head office in Niger state.

Responding to the Growing Need for Result Verification

The increasing number of result verification requests from both Nigerian and international institutions prompted NECO to develop the e-Verify platform. Between 2020 and 2022, NECO received verification inquiries from 64 academic institutions across 37 countries, in addition to 72 institutions within Nigeria. The introduction of e-Verify addresses this demand and ensures a more efficient and reliable verification process for educational institutions and workplaces.

Government Mandate and Collaboration

During the debut of e-Verify, the federal government urged tertiary institutions to utilize the portal for candidates who recently took the NECO senior school certificate examination. This directive, delivered by David Andrew Adejo, the permanent secretary of the Ministry of Education, underscores the government’s commitment to ensuring that only candidates with genuine results are considered for admission. The collaboration between NECO and educational institutions will help streamline the admission process and reduce the risk of admitting students with fraudulent results.

Building on the Success of WAEC’s Verification Portal

NECO is not the first examination body in Nigeria to introduce a verification portal. The West African Examination Council (WAEC) previously launched a similar digital platform aimed at simplifying the issuance and authentication of certificates. This demonstrates the positive impact and success of such initiatives in the education sector.

The WAEC portal also provides additional features like recovering forgotten examination numbers, further contributing to the efficiency and convenience of result verification.

Understanding the e-Verify Process

Sule Onu, an IT specialist, provided insights into the functioning of NECO’s e-Verify platform. The process involves two verification steps: bulk and instant verification. Users need to provide personal information such as their name, phone number, email address, and password to initiate the verification process.

After submitting the necessary information, NECO will send instructions to the registered phone number and email address, guiding users through the subsequent steps. Users will be required to make a payment to receive a verification token, ensuring a secure and reliable verification process.

Ensuring Cybersecurity and Future-proofing

With the increasing digitization of public services, it is crucial to address cybersecurity concerns and protect against potential threats. Recent reports of attempted cyberattacks during the 2023 general elections highlight the need for robust security measures. Chris Maiyaki, the acting Executive Secretary of the National University Commission, emphasized the importance of constant monitoring to ensure the durability and protection of NECO’s e-Verify platform against cybercriminals. Implementing stringent security protocols and keeping up with emerging cybersecurity practices will help safeguard the integrity of the platform and users’ data.

Conclusion

NECO’s introduction of the e-Verify platform represents a significant step towards ensuring the accuracy and reliability of examination results. By simplifying the result verification process, e-Verify not only enhances operational efficiency but also discourages the use of falsified results for admissions and employment purposes.

As educational institutions and workplaces embrace this digital solution, the collaboration between NECO and the government reinforces the commitment to quality education and authentic credentials. With robust security measures in place, e-Verify provides a secure and efficient means of verifying NECO examination results, paving the way for a more transparent and trustworthy educational system in Nigeria.