NECO Procures OMR Scanner to Improve Exam Processing

The National Examinations Council (NECO) has obtained a high-speed Optical Mark Recognition (OMR) scanner to improve the effectiveness, reliability, and security of its examination procedures.

During the commissioning of the newly installed scanning device at the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Department in Minna on Thursday, NECO’s Registrar, Prof. Dantani Ibrahim Wushishi, stated that this initiative is part of the council’s strategy to enhance precision, processing speed, and dependability in its exam operations.

NECO’s Acting Director of Information and Public Relations, Azeez Sani, shared this information in a statement issued to journalists in Abuja.

Wushishi highlighted that the Scantron Insight 1500c is an advanced OMR scanner recognized for its accuracy, high processing speed, and efficiency in handling large volumes of examination scripts.

He stated, “With this new addition, we will significantly enhance our data processing capabilities, ensuring faster and more accurate results processing for millions of candidates worldwide.”

According to him, the newly acquired scanner has the capability to process over 15,000 OMR sheets per hour and can handle 250 sheets per minute.

The Registrar further noted that the scanning machine, which was purchased for approximately N500 million, is capable of simultaneously scanning and grading OMR sheets.

Prof. Wushishi stressed that the acquisition of this high-speed scanner demonstrates NECO’s dedication to integrating technology across all its examination procedures.

The Director of the ICT Department, Mr. Goddy Usioboh, remarked that procuring the new scanner aligns with NECO’s mission of providing top-tier examination services while preserving the credibility of its assessments.

Mr. Tom Harry, a Technical Adviser from Scantron Company in Minnesota, USA, who trained the ICT Department staff on operating the new scanner, expressed his satisfaction with the staff’s commitment and meticulous approach during the training sessions.