A total of 58,187 candidates across Nigeria participated in the 2026 National Common Entrance Examination (NCEE) conducted by the National Examinations Council (NECO) for admission into Federal Government Colleges nationwide.

The Registrar of NECO, Prof. Ibrahim Wushishi, disclosed this while monitoring the examination in Abuja alongside the Minister of State for Education, Prof. Suwaiba Ahmad.

According to Wushishi, the figure represents a decrease from the 64,578 candidates who registered for the examination in 2025.

He noted that female candidates outnumbered their male counterparts in this year’s exercise, with over 31,000 girls registering compared to about 26,000 boys.

Wushishi attributed the development to the Federal Ministry of Education’s sustained efforts to promote girl-child education across the country.

“Female candidates accounted for the majority of those who registered for this year’s examination. I think this reflects the efforts of the ministry in promoting girl-child education and shows that positive results are being achieved in that regard,” he said.

The NECO Registrar further revealed that reports from examination centres nationwide indicated that the exercise was largely successful and free from major challenges.

Speaking after monitoring selected centres in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), the Minister of State for Education, Prof. Suwaiba Ahmad, expressed satisfaction with the conduct of the examination.

She stated that candidates were orderly, adequately supervised and commenced the examination on schedule at the centres visited.

“We have been to three schools and I am happy with the conduct of the examination in all the centres visited,” Ahmad said.

The Minister also noted that the prescribed age requirements for candidates were strictly adhered to, following a review of registration documents at the centres.

She reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to improving educational infrastructure and creating a conducive environment for effective teaching and learning.

As part of the monitoring exercise, the Minister and the NECO management team visited Model Secondary School, Maitama; Government Science Technical College, Garki; and Federal Government Boys’ College, Garki, all in Abuja.