A total of 58,187 candidates participated in the 2026 National Common Entrance Examination (NCEE) conducted by the National Examinations Council (NECO) for admission into Federal Government Colleges across Nigeria.
The Registrar of NECO, Prof. Ibrahim Wushishi, disclosed this while addressing journalists after monitoring the examination alongside the Minister of State for Education, Prof. Suwaiba Ahmad, in Abuja.
According to Wushishi, the number represents a decline when compared to the 64,578 candidates who registered for the examination in 2025.
He further revealed that female candidates accounted for the majority of registrations this year, with more than 31,000 girls registering for the examination, compared to approximately 26,000 boys.
Wushishi attributed the development to ongoing efforts by the Ministry of Education to promote girl-child education, noting that the increasing participation of female students reflects positive progress in that area.
Commenting on the conduct of the examination nationwide, the NECO registrar stated that reports received from various centres indicated that the exercise was generally smooth and free from major challenges.
After monitoring activities at selected examination centres in Abuja, the Minister of State for Education, Prof. Suwaiba Ahmad, expressed satisfaction with the organisation and administration of the examination.
She noted that candidates were orderly, properly supervised, and commenced their examinations as scheduled.
According to the minister, the centres visited demonstrated compliance with examination guidelines, including adherence to the prescribed age requirements for candidates seeking admission into Federal Government Colleges.
Despite the overall success of the exercise, Ahmad expressed concern about the number of candidates who were absent in some centres.
She disclosed that one of the examination halls visited recorded about 18 absentee candidates and stressed the importance of determining the reasons behind the absences.
The minister also commended the availability of facilities at the centres inspected and reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to improving educational infrastructure to support effective teaching and learning across the country.
Meanwhile, data from the examination showed that Taraba State recorded the lowest number of registered candidates, with only 15 participants, while Lagos State had the highest number, registering 13,228 candidates.
As part of the monitoring exercise, the minister and NECO officials visited Model Secondary School, Maitama; Government Science Technical College, Garki; and Federal Government Boys’ College, Garki, all located in Abuja.
