The Federal Government has released the results of the 2026 National Common Entrance Examination, with 10 candidates emerging as the highest scorers after recording 202 marks out of a maximum obtainable score of 210.
Minister of State for Education, Prof. Suwaiba Ahmad, announced the results on Thursday in Abuja after receiving the examination report from the National Examinations Council (NECO).
Over 70,000 candidates registered
Ahmad disclosed that 70,357 candidates registered for admission into the country’s 80 Federal Government Colleges, popularly known as unity colleges.
According to her, 66,950 candidates sat for the examination conducted on Saturday, June 6, 2026.
The examination took place across Nigeria, the Republic of Benin and Togo.
She added that 3,407 candidates were absent on the examination day.
The minister revealed that the 10 best-performing candidates each scored 202 marks.
She also disclosed that 82 candidates recorded the lowest score of one mark.
“The National Common Entrance Examination is conducted annually for qualified Nigerian children, both at home and abroad, seeking admission into the Federal Government Colleges spread across the country.”
Unity colleges remain highly competitive
Ahmad described the examination as the gateway into Junior Secondary School One (JSS1) in Federal Government Colleges.
She said the examination remains one of the country’s most competitive secondary school entrance tests.
The minister noted that unity colleges continue to promote national integration and strengthen unity among young Nigerians.
According to her, the schools have also remained the preferred choice for many parents across the country.
Academy entrance results also released
The minister also announced the release of the entrance examination results for the Federal Government Academy, Suleja.
She disclosed that 2,071 candidates registered for the academy’s entrance examination.
Out of that figure, 1,876 candidates sat for the examination, while 195 candidates were absent.
Ahmad said the highest score recorded for admission into the academy was 187 marks.
She explained that the score represents 89.05 per cent of the total obtainable marks.
The lowest score recorded in the examination was four marks.
Admission guidelines remain unchanged
The minister said the Federal Government would retain the existing admission policy for Federal Government Colleges.
According to her, admissions will continue to follow the approved formula of 60 per cent merit, 30 per cent equality of states and 10 per cent exigency.
She directed the Senior Secondary Education Department to complete the admission exercise without delay.
The minister also instructed officials to strictly comply with the approved admission guidelines.
FG promises more investment
Ahmad reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to improving unity colleges across the country.
She said the administration would continue investing in school infrastructure, feeding programmes and teacher quality.
“Our Federal Government Colleges have become the first choice for many parents across Nigeria. We will continue to improve infrastructure, feeding and the quality of teachers to ensure better learning outcomes for our children.”
Earlier, NECO Registrar, Prof. Ibrahim Dantani Wushishi, formally presented the 2026 National Common Entrance Examination results and the National Gifted Examination results to the minister for public release.
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