Precious Nwonu, Enugu
The National Examinations Council has released the results of the 2026 Senior School Certificate Examination (SSCE) Internal, with 58.67 per cent of candidates obtaining at least five credits, including English Language and Mathematics.
The Registrar and Chief Executive of NECO, Professor Dantani Wushishi, announced the results on Thursday at the council’s headquarters in Minna, Niger State.
Wushishi said 1,378,048 candidates registered for the examination, comprising 682,352 males and 695,696 females.
According to him, 1,371,992 candidates eventually sat for the examination.
He disclosed that 1,162,118 candidates, representing 84.70 per cent, obtained five credits and above irrespective of their performance in English Language and Mathematics.
The examination was conducted across Nigeria’s 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory, as well as six countries outside the country.
The foreign centres were located in Benin Republic, Equatorial Guinea, Niger Republic, Côte d’Ivoire, Togo and Saudi Arabia.
The 2026 SSCE Internal was conducted between June 15 and July 23, while the nationwide marking exercise took place from August 17 to September 4.
Wushishi also announced a significant decline in examination malpractice cases recorded during the exercise.
He said 1,406 candidates were involved in various forms of examination malpractice in 2026, compared with 3,878 candidates recorded in 2025.
This represents a 64.74 per cent reduction in the number of candidates involved in malpractice.
The NECO boss attributed the decline to improved examination procedures, enhanced monitoring and increased collaboration with security agencies and other stakeholders.
He said the measures were aimed at protecting the integrity and credibility of the examination.
Wushishi further disclosed that 1,334 candidates with special needs participated in the 2026 examination.
He said the council remained committed to providing necessary arrangements to promote inclusiveness in its examinations.
The NECO registrar commended the Federal Government, the education ministers, the council’s governing board, the National Assembly, security agencies, state governments, schools and other stakeholders for their support during the examination process.
He also praised NECO staff for their commitment to the successful conduct, marking and release of the results.
Wushishi formally declared the 2026 SSCE Internal results released and directed candidates to access their results through the NECO website using their examination registration numbers.
He urged candidates to remain committed to their academic pursuits, assuring stakeholders that the council would continue to uphold the credibility, fairness and integrity of its examinations.