The National Examinations Council (NECO) has digitalised the recruitment process for examination supervisors and assistant supervisors.

Azeez Sani, the acting director of NECO digital communication, announced the development in a statement on Sunday.

The exam body said the digitalisation is for the Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) and the Senior School Certificate Examination (SSCE) internal and external.

It said that digitalisation involves migration from the manual recruitment of supervisors and assistant supervisors to an online system.

NECO said the aim is “to check sharp practices in the recruitment process”.

This, the council said, would enhance efficiency and effective service delivery.

“It would ensure that supervisors’ nomination forms, appointment letters and supervisors’ e-photo albums are generated online,” the statement reads.

“Also, routine swapping of Supervisors and Assistant Supervisors during the Examination would be done Online.

“Interested qualified teachers with NCE, Degree Certificate, Master Degrees, PhD and Professors are eligible to apply as Supervisors and Assistant Supervisors for BECE or SSCE Internal or External.”

Before the digitalisation system, the recruitment of supervisors and assistant supervisors was done manually by NECO.

In January, the exam body launched software to facilitate the posting of staff to various parts of the country during its exams.

Dr. Richard Montgomery, the British High Commissioner to Nigeria, stated that although some international students are prohibited from bringing dependents, those enrolled in PhD programs are still allowed to bring dependents into the country.

Montgomery shared this information during an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Sunday in Abuja.

He mentioned that the policy change, which was implemented earlier this year, prohibits international students in higher education from bringing dependents to the UK.

According to him, this decision was made to address the growing issue of many foreign students bringing dependents.

He noted that the unsustainable pressure on numerous universities due to the influx of dependents led to the introduction of these policy changes.

He pointed out that university Chancellors had raised concerns about the large student populations, specifically noting challenges such as limited accommodation, access to medical services through the National Health Service, and schooling for dependents.

Montgomery explained that the restrictions are not universal, highlighting that those pursuing long-term research degrees, such as PhDs or doctorates, are exempt from these limitations.

“Those coming to the UK for doctorate can still bring their dependency but if you are coming to the UK with a study visa for an undergraduate degree, or short term master’s degree am afraid the rules have been changed.

“People need to understand why this change was brought in, and it is a sensible change because we have a large higher education sector and most of these universities are in towns across the country.

“I really like the demand but there are other factors at play in terms of schooling in the UK , the value of the Naira in the coming months will also determine how easy or hard it will be for many people to afford our education.

“But I really hope that the number of people who bring dependents in UK may actually not be a majority, but a minority of people have tried to study in the UK so am hoping that the demand will be sustained,” he said.

Kaduna State University (KASU) says its students defaulting on paying their fees will be allowed to write exams.

The KASU management, in a statement, said the move is following the directive of Uba Sani, the governor of Kaduna state

It said the directive is to mitigate the impact of current economic challenges on its student population.

Muhammad Lawal Shehu, chief press secretary to the state governor, confirmed the directive in a statement to newsmen on Sunday.

Shehu said the directive shows Sani’s administration is committed to promoting inclusive and equitable access to education.

He said parents and guardians are encouraged to ensure that all outstanding debts owed to KASU are settled.

“The governor recognizing the current dire economic realities facing many businesses, families and individuals in the nation, has directed that the school management extend the deadline for the full payment of tuition fees,” the CSP said.

“This is to allow students to write examinations.

“As their guardians and parents make adequate plans to complete any pending tuition fees owed to the institution.

“This directive underscores the administration’s commitment to promoting inclusive and equitable access to education.

It will ensure that every student has the chance to excel academically regardless of their financial circumstances.”