National common entrance examinations for admission of pupils into Federal Unity Schools and colleges of education nationwide have been suspended indefinitely.

This was made known on Thursday in Abuja by the Registrar and Chief Executive of the National Examinations Council (NECO), Promise Okpala.

According to the NECO registrar, the conduct of the examination which was earlier scheduled for Saturday July 19, was being postponed due to disruptions caused by the on-going strike by the Nigerian Union of Teachers (NUT).

"We consider it necessary to reach out to Nigerians, especially students and parents, to inform them of our decision to suspend the examinations so that they don't bother themselves looking for examination Centres," Okpala added.

He said despite the postponement of the exams, those wishing to still register for the examinations could do so.

Okpala further stated that the NECO would inform prospective students who had enrolled for the examination on the new date once it considers the atmosphere conducive enough to conduct the exams.

He explained that the 2008 NECO examinations meant to also admit pupils into tertiary institutions was suspended due to the current impasse between the NUT and the Federal Government.