The Federal Government of Nigeria has officially announced the release of the 2026 National Common Entrance Examination (NCEE) results.
A total of 10 stellar candidates emerged as the highest scorers, with each of them recording an impressive 202 marks out of the maximum obtainable 210.
The Minister of State for Education, Prof. Suwaiba Ahmad, officially broke the news on Thursday, July 16, 2026, in Abuja, shortly after receiving the comprehensive examination report from the National Examinations Council (NECO).
Prof. Ahmad disclosed that 70,357 candidates registered to gain entrance into the country’s 80 Federal Government Colleges (FGCs).
A total of 66,950 candidates sat for the exam, which took place on Saturday, June 6, 2026, across testing centers in Nigeria, the Benin Republic, and Togo. A total of 3,407 candidates were recorded absent.
While the top 10 candidates scored 202 marks, 82 candidates unfortunately recorded the lowest score of just one mark.
Speaking on the purpose and reach of the annual test, the minister stated:
“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,”
Prof. Ahmad described the examination as the essential gateway for primary school students looking to enter Junior Secondary School One (JSS1) in these colleges.
She noted that it remains one of the nation’s most competitive entry tests and emphasized that unity colleges continue to foster national integration and academic excellence.
The minister also approved the release of the entrance results for the Federal Government Academy in Suleja—a school dedicated to gifted children.
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Total Registered: 2,071 candidates
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Total Sat for Exam: 1,876 candidates
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Total Absent: 195 candidates
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Highest Score: 187 marks (representing 89.05 per cent of the total obtainable score)
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Lowest Score: 4 marks
The federal ministry confirmed that the existing rules for admission into unity colleges have not changed. Admissions will continue to be administered based on:
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60 per cent on merit
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30 per cent on equality of states
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10 per cent on environmental exigency
The Senior Secondary Education Department has been directed to conclude the placement process quickly and in strict adherence to these ratios.
Ahmad concluded by reassuring parents of the government’s resolve to continually strengthen the learning environment across all national unity colleges.
“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, the NECO Registrar, Prof. Ibrahim Dantani Wushishi, formally presented the results of the 2026 NCEE and the Gifted Examination to the minister for official publication.
