Reported by: Oahimire Omone Precious | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
The Registrar and Chief Executive Officer of the National Examinations Council, Professor Dantani Ibrahim Wushishi, has been elected Vice-President of the Association for Educational Assessment in Africa, a development that significantly elevates Nigeria's standing within the continent's examination community. The election took place at the just-concluded 42nd General Assembly Conference of the AEAA held in Arusha, Tanzania, where the association also granted Nigeria the hosting rights for the 2027 AEAA Conference, scheduled to take place in Abuja from August 16 to August 20, 2027. The twin decisions, announced in a statement issued on Friday, August 21, 2026, by the Acting Director of Information and Public Relations at NECO, Mallam Azeez Sani, reflect what the association described as the growing recognition of Nigeria's influence in educational assessment at a time when the sector is experiencing rapid digital transformation and the increasing integration of artificial intelligence into testing and certification.
Professor Wushishi's elevation follows his previous service on the AEAA Executive Council, where he represented the West African sub-region, demonstrating the trust and confidence that African examination bodies have placed in his leadership. Since assuming office as NECO Registrar in 2021, he has overseen a series of reforms aimed at modernising examination administration, expanding the council's technological infrastructure and broadening its international reach. Under his leadership, NECO examinations are now conducted in eight foreign countries, extending the council's footprint beyond Nigeria's borders and positioning it as a significant player in the international examination community. His reappointment as NECO Registrar by President Bola Tinubu earlier in 2026 was widely regarded as an endorsement of his technological and administrative reforms at the council.
The award of the 2027 AEAA Conference hosting rights to Nigeria is expected to provide the country with an important platform to showcase its ongoing reforms and innovations in educational assessment. The conference is expected to bring together policymakers, researchers, examination administrators, education experts and other stakeholders from across Africa to deliberate on emerging trends and challenges in educational assessment. The hosting of the conference represents a significant opportunity for Nigeria to demonstrate its leadership in the continent's evolving examination landscape and to strengthen its influence in shaping the future of educational assessment across Africa. Born on April 5, 1965, in Wushishi, Niger State, Professor Wushishi is a scholar of Science Education with a specialisation in Chemistry Education. Before his appointment to lead NECO, he built an academic career at Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto, and the Federal University of Technology, Minna, where he contributed to teaching, research and academic administration. He also held several leadership positions in the university system, including Head of Department, Postgraduate Coordinator and Sub-Dean, experiences that contributed to his administrative and leadership development.
The development in Arusha has further strengthened Nigeria's standing within Africa's educational assessment community and underscored the country's ambition to become a leading voice in the continent's evolving examination landscape. As the 2027 AEAA Conference approaches, all eyes will be on Abuja, where Nigeria will have the opportunity to showcase its reforms and innovations to the rest of the continent, while Professor Wushishi begins his tenure as Vice-President of the association that unites Africa's examination bodies in their shared mission of promoting excellence, integrity and innovation in educational assessment.
📩 Stone Reporters News | 🌍 stonereportersnews.com
✉️ info@stonereportersnews.com | 📘 Facebook: Stone Reporters News | 🐦 X (Twitter): @StoneReportNew | 📸 Instagram: @stonereportersnews
Add comment
Comments