Why NECO Registration Failures Spark Student Protests in Nigeria
On June 27, 2025, a shocking incident in Benue State drew nationwide attention when aggrieved final-year students from Gyutiev Model College allegedly set the house of their principal ablaze. Their anger stemmed from discovering that their principal, despite collecting ₦85,000 each for the 2025 National Examination Council (NECO) Senior Secondary Certificate Examination, had reportedly failed to register them for the exams.
Though dramatic, this event is far from isolated. Across Nigeria, failures in registering candidates for vital examinations like NECO or WAEC often spiral into violent protests, school property destruction, and shattered academic futures. This article explores the underlying causes, consequences, and solutions to a crisis threatening Nigeria’s educational system.
The Benue Incident: A Case Study
According to reports from the Daily Post, approximately 178 students at Gyutiev Model College contributed ₦85,000 each toward their NECO registration fees. Their principal, Mr. Isaac Yina, allegedly failed to submit their registrations. When students learned they were excluded from the 2025 NECO list, frustration erupted into violence. They destroyed school property before attacking the principal’s private residence.
Benue State Police confirmed the incident and indicated investigations are ongoing. While some arrests have reportedly been made, the underlying issue remains: Why does a failure to register students drive them to such extremes?
Why NECO Registration Matters
The National Examination Council (NECO) Senior Secondary Certificate Examination is more than just an academic exercise. For many students, it is the gateway to:
- University admission through JAMB and post-UTME processes
- Securing scholarships
- Meeting professional requirements for further education or jobs
When registration fails, students’ entire academic and career plans collapse. Parents who have saved for months—even years—feel cheated, and communities become enraged.
Similar Incidents Across Nigeria
Benue is not alone. In recent years:
- In Konshisha LGA, Benue, students burned classroom blocks after discovering their WAEC fees had been embezzled.
- In Kwara State, school property was vandalized following failed WAEC registrations.
- In Ogun State, a private school principal reportedly absconded abroad with students’ NECO and WAEC fees.
These events highlight a systemic problem in Nigeria’s educational system: weak regulation and oversight, coupled with poor financial transparency in private and some public schools.
Why Students Resort to Violence
Students turning violent is a tragic escalation of deeper frustrations:
- Betrayed trust: Students and parents often trust principals blindly with fees, believing registration is automatic.
- High stakes: Missing NECO or WAEC means losing a year or more in academic progression.
- Lack of redress: Many feel helpless, knowing official complaints might take months without resolution.
- Collective outrage: Large groups amplify anger and embolden destructive actions.
Financial Burdens on Families
Registering for NECO isn’t cheap. Depending on the school, fees range from ₦30,000 to ₦85,000 or more, covering:
- Registration costs
- Practical fees for science students
- School administrative charges
- Preparation materials
In communities battling economic hardship, losing such sums without explanation is intolerable. It fuels the perception that educational authorities exploit vulnerable families.
How to Prevent NECO Registration Failures
Experts suggest several reforms to avoid further incidents like Benue:
- Verification Portals: NECO should offer real-time portals for parents and students to confirm registration status.
- Mandatory Receipts: Schools must issue official NECO receipts for every payment, not just handwritten notes.
- Stricter Regulations: Ministries of Education must enforce severe penalties on administrators who fail to register students after collecting fees.
- Parental Involvement: Parents should monitor deadlines and demand proof of submission from schools.
Such solutions, though simple, could protect students and families from devastating academic setbacks.
Other Educational Options
For students affected by registration failures, all hope is not lost. Alternative paths include:
- Enrolling for the next NECO or WAEC sitting as external candidates
- Registering for NABTEB for vocational certifications
- Exploring online learning programs while awaiting the next exam cycle
- Seeking scholarships or skill acquisition programs to avoid academic stagnation
Parents and students should consult trusted educators to chart the best path forward if faced with a registration crisis.
Internal Links
For further reading, explore:
- Secondary School Admissions in Nigeria
- Why Young Nigerians Are Suffering High Blood Pressure Early in Life
- Is it Safe to Have a Mobile Network Mast in Your Compound?
Conclusion
The Benue incident is more than an isolated event—it is a stark reminder of gaps in Nigeria’s educational system that leave students vulnerable. NECO registration failures devastate dreams and can drive otherwise peaceful youths into desperate actions.
While students must learn peaceful channels for resolving disputes, educational institutions must equally commit to transparency, accountability, and genuine care for the futures entrusted to them.
Have you witnessed similar issues in your school or community? Share your experiences below. Together, we can create solutions that protect every Nigerian student’s right to an uninterrupted education.
