President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved the appointment of Modupe Adeola Adelabu as Chairman of the Governing Board of the National Examinations Council, in a move aimed at strengthening leadership within Nigeria’s education sector.

The development was made public on Wednesday in a statement issued by the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga.

According to the statement, Adelabu’s appointment is part of a broader set of approvals affecting key education agencies, with a focus on improving governance, continuity, and institutional reforms.

A retired professor of Educational Administration, Adelabu brings decades of experience in academia and public service. She previously served as Deputy Governor of Ekiti State and also chaired the National Board for Technical Education between 2018 and 2021.

The Presidency also confirmed that the current NECO Registrar, Ibrahim Dantani Wushishi, will remain in office, a decision seen as a step toward maintaining operational stability within the examination body.

Beyond NECO, the President approved additional appointments across the sector. Babatunde Salako was named Chairman of the National Board for Technical Education, while Idris M Bugaje was reappointed as Executive Secretary of the board for a second and final five-year term.

In the polytechnic system, Bongfa Binfa was appointed Rector of the Federal Polytechnic, N’yak-Shendam in Plateau State. Similarly, Chinwe Veronica Anunobi will continue as Director-General of the National Library of Nigeria following the renewal of her tenure.

Profile: Modupe Adelabu

Adelabu is a former professor at Obafemi Awolowo University, where she built a long academic career, rising from Graduate Assistant to full Professor before retiring in 2020.

Her experience in public education administration includes serving as Chairman of the Ekiti State Universal Basic Education Board from 2011 to 2014. She later became Deputy Governor of Ekiti State and went on to lead the National Board for Technical Education.

Over the years, she has also worked as a consultant for major education agencies, contributing to policy development and reforms in several states.

Analysts say her appointment, alongside other leadership decisions announced by the Presidency, signals a renewed effort to stabilise and reposition key education institutions in Nigeria.