The Registrar and Chief Executive of the National Examinations Council (NECO), Prof. Dantani Ibrahim Wushishi, has been elected Vice-President of the Association for Educational Assessment in Africa (AEAA). The election took place during the 42nd AEAA Conference held in Arusha, Tanzania. At the same General Assembly, Nigeria was granted the hosting rights for the 2027 AEAA Conference, scheduled to take place in Abuja from August 16 to 20, 2027.
Recognition of Nigeria’s Growing Influence in Educational Assessment
According to a statement released by NECO on Friday, August 21, 2026, these developments reflect growing recognition of Nigeria’s influence in educational assessment, digital transformation, and the integration of artificial intelligence in testing and certification. The statement highlighted that Prof. Wushishi’s election follows his service on the AEAA Executive Council as the representative of the West African sub-region.
Prof. Wushishi has served as NECO Registrar since 2021, during which he has overseen reforms aimed at modernising examination administration, expanding technological infrastructure, and broadening the council’s international reach. As a result, NECO examinations are now conducted in eight countries outside Nigeria, demonstrating the council’s expanding footprint across the continent.
Prof. Wushishi’s Background and Career
Born on April 5, 1965, in Wushishi, Niger State, Prof. Wushishi is a scholar of Science Education with specialisation in Chemistry Education. Before leading NECO, he held academic and leadership positions at Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto, and the Federal University of Technology, Minna. His roles included Head of Department, Postgraduate Coordinator, and Sub-Dean, reflecting a robust academic administrative career.
Earlier this year, President Bola Tinubu reappointed Prof. Wushishi as NECO Registrar, a move that underscores the government’s confidence in his leadership. His reappointment comes at a time when NECO is focusing on modernisation and the adoption of advanced technologies in examination processes.
Impact of the 2027 AEAA Conference on Nigeria
The 2027 AEAA Conference in Abuja is expected to provide a platform to showcase ongoing reforms in educational assessment. NECO stated that the event will host policymakers, researchers, examination administrators, and education experts from across Africa. This presents a significant opportunity for Nigeria to demonstrate its leadership in the field and to foster collaboration among African nations in educational assessment.
The conference is set to be a landmark event for NECO and Nigeria, highlighting the country’s commitment to improving educational standards and embracing digital transformation in testing and certification. With the hosting rights secured, Nigeria is poised to play a central role in shaping the future of educational assessment on the continent.
