The National Examinations Council (NECO) has released the results of the 2026 Senior School Certificate Examination (SSCE) for school-based candidates, exactly 63 days after the final paper was sat.
Announcing the results at the council headquarters in Minna, the Niger State capital, on Thursday, the Registrar/Chief Executive, Prof. Dantani Wushishi, stated that a total of 1,378,048 candidates registered for the examination.
The Registrar noted that this figure comprised 682,352 males and 695,696 females. However, the total number of candidates who ultimately sat for the examination was 1,371,992, consisting of 678,903 males and 693,089 females.
Prof. Wushishi explained that out of these candidates, 804,948 (58.67 per cent) achieved five credits and above, including English Language and Mathematics.
Additionally, 1,162,118 candidates (84.70 per cent) obtained five credits and above regardless of English Language and Mathematics. A total of 1,334 candidates with special needs also took part in the examination.
Reiterating the council’s zero-tolerance stance on examination malpractice, the Registrar emphasised that high standards and academic integrity were maintained from the planning stage through to the release of results.
Prof. Wushishi revealed that 1,406 candidates were involved in various forms of malpractice during the 2026 examination, representing a 64.74 per cent decrease compared to the 3,878 candidates recorded in 2025.
He attributed this reduction to intensified monitoring by members of the Governing Board, executive management, and senior staff.
He commended the staff for their professionalism, discipline, and pursuit of excellence, stating: ‘Your intellectual rigour, meticulous attention to quality, and commitment to ethical standards have ensured that we deliver results that are credible and trusted by students, institutions, and the public. The success of this exercise is no accident; it is the result of consistent dedication across all directorates and departments.’
The Registrar expressed gratitude to President Bola Tinubu for reappointing him for a second term and for his continued confidence in the organisation.
He also thanked various stakeholders for contributing to the success of this year’s examination.
The event concluded with the presentation of medals to athletes who represented the council in various sporting competitions throughout 2026.
