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• 1.16m candidates meet general benchmark • Malpractice drops by 64.74%
From Fred Ezeh, Abuja
The National Examinations Council (NECO) has released the results of the 2026 Senior School Certificate Examination (SSCE) 63 days after the last paper of the examination was written, with 804,948 candidates, representing 58.67 percent, obtaining five credits and above, including English Language and Mathematics.
The result showed a significant gap between candidates, who obtained five credits generally and those who met the same benchmark with English Language and Mathematics included.
While 1,162,118 candidates, representing 84.70 percent of those who sat for the examination, obtained five credits and above, irrespective of their performance in English Language and Mathematics, only 804,948 candidates, representing 58.67 percent, secured five credits and above including the two subjects.
NECO’s registrar, Prof. Dantani Wushishi, announced the results at a press conference in Minna, the Niger State capital, yesterday.
He said that 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.
The figures meant that about 357,170 candidates who met the general five-credit benchmark did not meet the specified benchmark when English Language and Mathematics were included.
The registrar, however, announced a sharp decline in examination malpractices, with 1,406 candidates involved in various forms of malpractices in the 2026 examination, compared to 3,878 candidates recorded in 2025. “This represented a 64.74 percent reduction in examination malpractices,” he said.
Wushishi attributed the improvement in the conduct of the examination to measures adopted by the council to strengthen the integrity of its examinations, as well as the support of security agencies.
He particularly commended the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) and the Department of State Services (DSS) for their vigilance, presence and support before and during the examination.
According to him, the agencies’ efforts helped to reinforce discipline, deter wrongdoing and protect the integrity of the examination.
He also expressed appreciation to President Bola Tinubu for reappointing him for a second tenure as NECO registrar and thanked the Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, for his confidence in the leadership of the council.
He assured candidates, parents, schools and other stakeholders that NECO would remain committed to improving its examination processes and upholding the credibility and integrity of its assessments.
