The National Examinations Council, NECO, has announced the release of the 2026 Senior School Certificate Examination results, with 804,948 candidates achieving at least five credits, including English Language and Mathematics.
The figure represents 58.67 per cent of the candidates who sat for the examination, marking a decline from the 60.26 per cent recorded in 2025.
In the 2025 examination, 818,492 candidates secured five credits and above, including English Language and Mathematics.
NECO Registrar, Prof. Dantani Wushishi, announced the 2026 results during a press briefing in Minna, Niger State, on Thursday.
The announcement came 63 days after the completion of the examination, which was conducted between June 15 and July 23, 2026.
Wushishi disclosed that 1,378,048 candidates registered for the examination, while 1,371,992 candidates eventually participated in the exercise.
He added that 1,162,118 candidates, representing 84.70 per cent, obtained at least five credits regardless of their grades in English Language and Mathematics.
Malpractice cases drop by 64.74%
The registrar also announced a sharp reduction in reported cases of examination malpractice during the 2026 exercise.
According to him, 1,406 candidates were implicated in malpractice cases, compared with 3,878 candidates recorded in 2025.
This represents a 64.74 per cent reduction in the number of candidates involved in reported malpractice cases.
Wushishi attributed the improvement to measures introduced by the council to strengthen examination supervision, monitoring and overall conduct.
He particularly acknowledged the contributions of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps and the Department of State Services, saying their vigilance and support helped to maintain discipline and safeguard the examination process.
The NECO boss also expressed appreciation to President Bola Tinubu for his reappointment for a second term and to the Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa, for the confidence placed in his administration.
Wushishi assured candidates, parents, schools and other stakeholders that the council would continue to strengthen its processes and uphold the credibility and integrity of its examinations.
