FG announces release of 2026 Common Entrance examination

The Federal Government has announced the release of the 2026 National Common Entrance Examination (NCEE) results, with 10 candidates emerging as the overall best performers after each scored 202 out of the maximum obtainable 210 marks.

The Minister of State for Education, Prof. Suwaiba Ahmad, made the announcement on Thursday in Abuja while receiving the official examination report from the National Examinations Council (NECO).

According to the minister, a total of 70,357 candidates registered for the 2026 entrance examination into the nation’s 80 Federal Government Colleges (FGCs), also known as Unity Schools.

According to her, 66,950 candidates sat for the examination, which was conducted on Saturday, June 6, 2026, across Nigeria, the Benin Republic and Togo, while 3,407 candidates were absent.

She said the top 10 candidates each scored 202 marks, while 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,” the minister said.

Ahmad described the examination as the gateway for admission into Junior Secondary School One (JSS1) in the Federal Government Colleges, noting that it remains one of the country’s most competitive entrance examinations.

She added that the unity colleges continue to play a significant role in fostering national integration and unity, making them among the most preferred secondary schools for parents across the country.

The minister also announced the release of the results of the entrance examination into the Federal Government Academy, Suleja.

She said 2,071 candidates registered for the examination, while 1,876 sat for the test and 195 were absent.

According to Ahmad, the highest score recorded for admission into the academy was 187 marks, representing 89.05 per cent of the total obtainable score, while the lowest score was four marks.

The minister stated that the admission guidelines into the Federal Government Colleges remain unchanged.

She said admissions would continue to be based on 60 per cent merit, 30 per cent equality of states and 10 per cent exigency, directing the Senior Secondary Education Department to conclude the admission exercise promptly and in strict compliance with the approved guidelines.

Ahmad also reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to strengthening the nation’s unity colleges through sustained investment in infrastructure, improved feeding programmes and better 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,” she said.

Earlier, the Registrar of the National Examinations Council, 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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