By Ado Oyeyemi
The National Examinations Council has released the results of the 2026 Senior School Certificate Examination, with 58.67 per cent of candidates obtaining at least five credits, including English Language and Mathematics.
The Registrar and Chief Executive Officer of NECO, Prof. Dantani Wushishi, announced the release of the results on Thursday at a press briefing held at the council’s headquarters in Minna, Niger State.
Wushishi said 1,378,048 candidates registered for the examination, comprising 682,352 males and 695,696 females.
He added that 1,371,992 candidates eventually sat for the examination, comprising 678,903 males and 693,089 females.
According to him, 1,162,118 candidates, representing 84.70 per cent of those who sat for the examination, obtained five credits and above, irrespective of English Language and Mathematics.
However, 804,948 candidates, representing 58.67 per cent, secured five credits and above, including English Language and Mathematics.
The examination was conducted between June 15 and September 4, 2026, across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory, as well as six countries outside Nigeria.
The countries were Benin Republic, Equatorial Guinea, Niger Republic, Côte d’Ivoire, Togo and Saudi Arabia.
Wushishi said the results were released 63 days after the examination ended, following the completion of marking, verification and quality assurance processes.
He described the 2026 examination as one of the most challenging cycles for the council, saying it tested its systems, processes and preparedness.
On examination malpractice, the NECO boss disclosed that 1,406 candidates were involved in various forms of malpractice, representing a 64.74 per cent decline from the 3,878 cases recorded in 2025.
He attributed the reduction to measures adopted by the council to strengthen examination security and quality assurance.
Wushishi also disclosed that 1,334 candidates with special needs participated in the examination.
He said the figure comprised 640 candidates with hearing impairment, 149 with visual impairment, 84 with albinism, 94 with autism, 136 with low vision and 231 candidates with adermatoglyphia.
The registrar said the council remained committed to ensuring that certificates issued reflected candidates’ genuine academic performance and were not obtained through impersonation, manipulation or other forms of examination malpractice.
He commended the Federal Government, security agencies and other institutions for their support during the examination, including the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Department of State Services and Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board.
Wushishi said candidates could check their results through the NECO website using their examination registration numbers.
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He assured stakeholders that the council would continue to safeguard the integrity and credibility of its examinations.
