The National Examinations Council (NECO) has released the results of the 2026 Senior School Certificate Examination (SSCE) Internal, announcing that 804,948 candidates, representing 58.67 per cent, obtained five credits and above, including English Language and Mathematics.
The council released the results 63 days after the last paper of the examination, maintaining its recent record of timely processing of candidates’ results. The SSCE is one of Nigeria’s major secondary school examinations and serves as a key requirement for admission into higher institutions.
Speaking at a press conference in Minna, Niger State, on Thursday, the Registrar of NECO, Prof. Dantani Wushishi, said 1,378,048 candidates registered for the examination, while 1,371,992 candidates eventually sat for the exercise.
According to him, the examination was conducted between June 15 and July 23, 2026, across the country.
Wushishi disclosed that 1,162,118 candidates, representing 84.70 per cent, obtained five credits and above, regardless of their performance in English Language and Mathematics.
The registrar also announced a sharp decline in examination malpractice 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 the 2025 examination.
According to him, the latest figure represents a 64.74 per cent reduction in examination malpractice, describing the development as a major boost to the credibility of the council’s examinations.
Wushishi attributed the improvement to stronger monitoring and the collaboration of security agencies during the conduct of the examination.
He expressed appreciation to President Bola Tinubu for reappointing him for a second tenure as Registrar of NECO.
The registrar also thanked the Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, for his confidence and support.
He further commended security agencies, particularly the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) and the Department of State Services (DSS), for providing security and maintaining order throughout the examination period.
According to him, the agencies’ vigilance and presence helped reinforce discipline, discourage examination malpractice and safeguard the integrity of the examination process.
Wushishi assured candidates, parents, schools and other stakeholders that NECO would remain committed to conducting credible examinations and strengthening public confidence in its assessment system.
NECO is one of Nigeria’s leading examination bodies responsible for conducting the Senior School Certificate Examination and other national examinations. The annual SSCE Internal examination provides millions of secondary school students with qualifications required for higher education and career advancement, making the credibility and timely release of results crucial to the country’s education sector.
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