By Felix Khanoba
The Federal Government has released the results of the 2026 National Common Entrance Examination (NCEE), revealing that 10 candidates recorded the highest score of 202 out of a maximum obtainable 210 marks.
The announcement was made on Thursday in Abuja by the Minister of State for Education, Prof. Suwaiba Sa’idu Ahmad, during the official presentation of the examination results by the National Examinations Council (NECO).
According to the minister, 70,357 candidates registered for this year’s entrance examination into the country’s 80 Federal Government Colleges (FGCs), while 66,950 candidates participated in the exercise conducted on Saturday, June 6, 2026, across Nigeria, the Benin Republic and Togo. She added that 3,407 registered candidates were absent.
Prof. Ahmad disclosed that although the highest mark obtained was 202, a total of 82 candidates recorded the lowest score of one mark.
She described the National Common Entrance Examination as the official pathway 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.
“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,” she said.
The minister stated that the unity colleges have continued to serve as important institutions for fostering national cohesion and integration, adding that they remain among the most preferred secondary schools for many Nigerian parents.
She also announced the release of the results of the entrance examination into the Federal Government Academy, Suleja.
According to her, 2,071 candidates registered for the examination, while 1,876 sat for the test, with 195 candidates absent. She added that the highest score recorded for admission into the academy was 187 marks, equivalent to 89.05 per cent of the total obtainable score, while the lowest score was four marks.
Prof. Ahmad reaffirmed that the existing admission formula into the Federal Government Colleges would remain in force.
She explained that admissions would continue to be determined using the approved criteria of 60 per cent merit, 30 per cent equality of states and 10 per cent exigency. She also directed the Senior Secondary Education Department to ensure the admission exercise is completed without delay and in strict compliance with the established guidelines.
The minister reiterated the Federal Government’s commitment to improving standards in the nation’s unity colleges through continued investment in infrastructure, better feeding programmes and improved teacher quality.
She assured parents that efforts would be sustained to enhance teaching and learning across the colleges in line with growing expectations.
“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 (NECO), Prof. Ibrahim Dantani Wushishi, formally presented both the 2026 National Common Entrance Examination results and the National Gifted Examination results to the minister for official release.
FG releases 2026 common entrance results
