The Speaker of the Oyo State House of Assembly, Adebo Ogundoyin, on Monday received the leadership of the National Examinations Council (NECO) on a courtesy visit to his office.
The Speaker said the discussions centered on widening academic opportunities for students across the state.
The NECO delegation was led by Ademola B. Adesola, Oyo State Coordinator, who emphasized the need to deepen collaboration between the examination body and the state government to strengthen access and outcomes in public education.
According to the Speaker, the meeting placed strong emphasis on encouraging pupils in public primary schools to participate not only in the State Common Entrance Examination but also in the Unified National Common Entrance Examination conducted by NECO.
He noted that broader participation would open pathways for pupils to benefit from national scholarship schemes and gain admission into Federal Unity Colleges nationwide.
The discussion also extended to junior secondary education, with both parties stressing the importance of JSS3 students sitting for the Basic Education Certificate Examination organised by NECO in addition to the state-conducted BECE.
This, they agreed, would expand students’ academic exposure and improve their competitiveness at the national level.
Another major issue raised as gathered by Westernmirror.com.ng, was the need to revive state government support for the payment of NECO examination fees for SSS3 students in public schools.
The Speaker described the intervention as critical. He recalled that it had previously enabled many candidates to sit for the examination who would otherwise have been constrained by financial challenges.
The NECO team further requested the allocation of land in Ibadan for the construction of a NECO Zonal Office.
Establishing such a facility in Oyo State, they said, would enhance institutional presence, improve coordination, and strengthen service delivery across the region.
Ogundoyin reaffirmed the commitment of the House to policies and partnerships that promote access, equity, and excellence in education.
He added that legislative support would continue to be directed at initiatives capable of improving learning outcomes and advancing the overall development of Oyo State.