The National Examinations Council has released the results for the 2024 Senior School Certificate Examination External, which was conducted from November 14 to December 14, 2024.

During a press conference held on Friday at the NECO headquarters in Minna, the council’s Registrar and Chief Executive, Prof. Dantani Ibrahim Wushishi, revealed that 86,067 candidates had registered for the examination, with 84,799 participating.

Wushishi reported that 57,114 candidates—representing 67.35%—obtained five credits or more, including English Language and Mathematics.

He said, “The total number of candidates that registered for the examination is 86,067, with 44,988 (52.27%) male and 41,079 (47.72%) female.

“The total number of candidates that sat is 84,799, with 44,277 (52.21%) male and 40,522 (47.78%) female.

“The number of candidates that sat for English Language is 83,220 out of which 62,929 representing 75.62% got Credit and
above.

“The number of candidates that sat for Mathematics is 83,024, out of which 77,988 representing 93.93% got Credit and above.

“The number of Candidates who got five (5) Credits and above, including English Language and Mathematics, is 57,114 representing 67.35%.

“Also 70,711 candidates, representing 83.39%, got five (5) Credits and above irrespective of English Language and Mathematics.”

Addressing the issue of examination malpractice, Wushishi noted a reduction in the number of malpractice cases compared to the previous year.

He revealed that 6,160 candidates were involved in various forms of malpractice, a 27.7% decrease from 2023’s 8,518 cases.

The NECO boss also mentioned that several exam supervisors and centres had been recommended for blacklisting.

“The number of candidates booked for various forms of malpractice is 6,160, as against 8,518 in 2023, which is lower by 27.7%. Seven supervisors, including two each from Oyo and Ogun States and one each from Lagos, Cross River, and Ebonyi States, have been recommended for blacklisting for poor supervision, lateness, and aiding malpractice during the exam.

“Fourteen centres—10 in Ogun and 4 in Oyo States—have been blacklisted for involvement in widespread malpractice in nine subjects,” he added.

He said candidates can now access their 2024 SSCE External results by visiting the official NECO website at www.neco.gov.ng and using their examination registration number.

Wushishi also extended his gratitude to the Minister of Education, Maruf Tunji Alausa, and the Minister of State for Education, Prof. Suwaiba Said Ahmad, among others, for their unwavering support and guidance throughout the examination process.

As controversies trailed the purported electricity tariff hike by the Federal Government, the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission has issued regulations on the procedure for tariff reviews.

The latest order, signed by NERC Chairman, Sanusi Garba, stated that pursuant to the provisions of the Electricity Act 2023, the commission is obligated to review and approve a fair tariff to allow licensees to recover prudent costs and a reasonable return on capital invested in the business for the provision of electricity services.

It stated that Section 116(1) of the Act provides that activities in the generation, transmission, distribution, trading, supply, system operation, and electricity distribution franchising shall be subject to tariff regulation, saying Section 116(2) further provides for the commission to develop a tariff methodology that allows licensees operating efficiently to recover the full efficient costs of their business activities, plus a reasonable return on investments by shareholders.

“In exercise of the powers conferred in Section 116 of the Act, the commission has developed and adopted the Multi-Year Tariff Order Methodology as an incentive-based price regulation framework for the determination and projection of tariffs payable in the Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry,”

NERC stressed that the Multi-Year Tariff Order methodology provides for a major review of electricity tariffs every five years, during which all tariff assumptions are reviewed to ensure the industry’s viability and efficiency.

One year before the major tariff hike, the commission said it would issue a notice to all licensees about its intention while requesting them to submit applications for the review of tariffs supported with necessary documentation within 120 days of the notice.

“The commission shall, one year before the expiration of the major tariff review order in force or as may be considered necessary, issue a notice to all licensees about its intention to commence the process for a major review of the existing tariff. The notice shall be published in three national dailies and on the website of the commission.

“The Notice shall request for submission of applications for the review of tariffs supported with documentation that includes but not limited to audited financial statements, budgets, investment plans (in line with prevailing guidelines on Performance Improvement Plans), and proof of wide consultation with customers in the licensees’ service area concerning the proposed filing of the application for tariff review and any other information as deemed necessary by the commission,” the regulation stated.

The regulator said an initial review of the applications shall be completed and a consultation paper developed no later than 90 days after the deadline for the submission of the applications.

“The consultation paper developed by the commission shall outline the basis for the tariff review applications by the licensees including their proposals on capital investments, service improvements, new connections, loss reductions, reset of tariff assumptions if any, and possible impact on rates payable by the affected customers.

“The consultation paper shall be published on the commission’s website and public notices issued soliciting comments with a timeline of 21 days for submission by stakeholders. The commission shall within 90 days from the publication of the consultation paper review all comments and schedule and conclude a Rate Case Hearing, having regard to the stakeholders’ responses to the consultation paper,” the regulation stated.

It was stated that all comments and observations received from the public on the consultation paper and the Rate Case Hearing shall be examined and considered in the development of a draft tariff order for the consideration of the commission.

Upon due consideration of the outcomes of the general stakeholders’ presentation and the Rate Case Hearing, the commission said it shall consider and approve a Major Tariff Review Order within 30 days from the date of the Rate Case Hearing held at the commission.

“Any licensee whose tariffs have been reviewed shall communicate the outcome of the tariff review to its customers vide its website and other communication channels,” it said.

For monthly or minor reviews, the commission said it shall review the prevailing operating end-user tariffs and changes may be made thereto to account for changes in generation fuel costs, the Nigerian and United States inflation rates, United States dollar exchange rate to the naira, and average generation availability relative to the preceding month.

The commission also stated that it may, at its discretion, conduct a minor review of end-user tariffs at other short periods but no longer than six months.

The Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Energy, Olu Verheijen, has said there would be an electricity tariff review in a few months.

Verheijen said the current N200bn monthly electricity subsidy benefits only the wealthiest 25 per cent, leaving the poor masses in the dark.

She said the government would put in place a subsidy system that works for the masses.

“Today, the Federal Government spends over N200bn per month on electricity subsidies, but much of this support benefits the wealthiest 25 per cent of Nigerians rather than those who truly need assistance. To address this, the Federal Government is working towards a targeted subsidy system to ensure that low-income households receive the most support. This approach will make electricity more affordable and accessible for millions of hardworking families,” she stated.

Kebbi State government has released the sum of N585 million as payment for tuition fees of 100 indigent students studying in various universities in India.

The commissioner for higher education, Hon Abubakar Isah Tunda, revealed this to journalists yesterday at a press conference held at the ministry’s conference hall in Birnin Kebbi.

According to him, the state government, under the leadership of Governor Nasir Idris, a promoter of education, has approved the released amount for the settlement of tuition fees of the state indigent students studying various courses at different universities in India.

Tunga, therefore, implored the students to study hard to justify what was paid to them by the government.

He noted that the Ministry of Higher Education would remain focused on promoting education in high institutions and abroad.

Enugu State Governor Peter Mbah has granted the prerogative of mercy to eight inmates of Correctional Centres in the state on parole.

A statement released by the Governor’s media aide, Mr Uche Anichukwu, on New Year’s Day 2025, said the decision was communicated to the Comptroller, Nigerian Correctional Service, Enugu State Command, Mr Nicholas Obiako, in a letter dated 31st December 2024 and signed by the Chief of Staff to the Governor, Barr. Victor Udeh.

“His Excellency, the Governor of Enugu State, in the exercise of his power (Prerogative of Mercy) under Section 212 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended) and in consultation with the Advisory Council on Prerogative of Mercy, Enugu State, has granted various forms of Prerogative of Mercy as presented below to the following convicts (of State offences) in the Correctional Centres in Enugu State,” the letter reads in part.

A breakdown of the reprieves shows that while Governor Mbah approved the release, subject to a one-year parole, of eight inmates who had spent substantial parts of their jail terms for various offences, one offender was granted pardon subject to a one-year parole. He had spent part of his five-year jail term for contempt of court and equally purged himself of the contempt.

The decision was also subject to reports of proven reform in character, ability to reintegrate with society having possessed or learnt some productive skills, and following recommendations by the Correctional Services and the Advisory Council on Prerogative of Mercy, chaired by the State Attorney-General and  Commissioner for Justice, and whose membership comprises representatives of the Nigerian Correctional Service, Carmelite Prisoners Interest Organisation (CAPIO), and the Catholic Institute for Development, Justice and Peace (CIDJAP), among other reputable justice sector institutions.

Meanwhile, Section 212 (1) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) provides, “The Governor may (a) Grant any person concerned with or convicted of any offence created by any law of a state a pardon, either free or subject to lawful conditions; (b) grant to any person a respite, of the execution of any punishment imposed on that person for such an offence; (c) substitute a less severe form of punishment for any person for such an offence; or (d) remit the whole or any part of punishment for any punishment imposed on that person for such any offence or of any penalty forfeiture otherwise due to the state on account of such an offence.”

 

 

 

Section 212 (2), however, provides that the governor’s powers under subsection (1) shall be exercised after consultation with an advisory council on the prerogative of mercy as may be established by law.