NECO: 804,948 candidates pass English, Maths

The National Examinations Council (NECO) has released the results of the 2026 Senior School Certificate Examination (SSCE), with 804,948 candidates, representing 58.67 per cent, obtaining five credits and above, including English Language and Mathematics.

The figure represents a 2.64 percentage-point decline from the 60.26 per cent recorded in the 2025 examination, when 818,492 candidates obtained five credits and above, including English and Mathematics.

NECO Registrar, Prof. Dantani Wushishi, announced the results at a press conference in Minna, Niger State, on Thursday, 63 days after the last paper of the examination was written.

Wushishi said 1,378,048 candidates registered for the examination, while 1,371,992 candidates eventually sat for the exercise, which commenced on June 15 and ended on July 23, 2026.

He disclosed that 1,162,118 candidates, representing 84.70 per cent, obtained five credits and above, irrespective of their performance in English Language and Mathematics.

According to him, the 2026 examination also recorded a significant decline in examination malpractice.

He said 1,406 candidates were involved in reported cases of malpractice, representing a 64.74 per cent reduction from the 3,878 candidates recorded in 2025.

Wushishi attributed the decline to measures adopted by the council to strengthen the conduct and monitoring of the examination.

He commended security agencies, particularly the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) and the Department of State Services (DSS), for their vigilance, presence and support during the exercise.

According to him, the agencies helped reinforce discipline, deter wrongdoing and protect the integrity of the examination.

The registrar also thanked President Bola Tinubu for reappointing him for a second tenure and the Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa, for the confidence reposed in his leadership.

Wushishi assured candidates, parents, schools and other stakeholders that NECO would remain committed to its mandate and continue to uphold the integrity of its examinations.