< img src="https://edugist.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/NECOOO.png"alt =""> An overall of 804,948 prospects who sat for the 2026 Senior Citizen School Certificate Examination (SSCE) carried out by the National Examinations Council (NECO) obtained at least 5 credits, consisting of English Language and Mathematics.
The figure represents 58.67 percent of the 1,371,992 candidates who participated in the assessment.
NECO Registrar, Prof. Dantani Wushishi, disclosed the figures on Thursday while presenting the outcomes of the 2026 SSCE Internal assessment.
Wushishi said 1,378,048 candidates registered for the examination, comprising 682,352 males and 695,696 women.
Of the signed up prospects, 1,371,992 ultimately sat for the examination. They included 678,903 male and 693,089 female prospects.
The registrar likewise said 1,334 prospects with unique requirements took part in the evaluation.
He reported a considerable decrease in assessment malpractice, saying 1,406 candidates were associated with malpractice in the 2026 exercise, compared with 3,878 cases tape-recorded in 2025. He put the decrease at 64.74 per cent.
Wushishi explained the 2026 examination as an improvement on the previous year’s exercise.
Addressing issues about so-called “wonder centres”, the NECO employer said the assessment council had no connection with such centres.
He discussed that NECO only signs up assessment centres that fulfill its recognized requirements and does not operate “miracle centres”.
According to him, NECO owns only one school and for that reason might not be connected with independently operated or government-established centres described as miracle centres.
“If there are miracle centres, it is the state governments that established these wonder centres or they are independently owned, however NECO does not think in miracle centres,” he stated.
Read likewise:
How to examine 2026 NECO SSCE results online
NECO reveals 2026 SSCE results, records sharp drop in malpractice
Personnel performance awards
Ahead of the release of the 2026 assessment results, NECO likewise held its 2025 Annual Personnel Productivity Awards, where exceptional members of personnel and high-performing candidates were acknowledged.
Wushishi said the awards were presented to acknowledge workers and candidates who showed commitment, hard work and strong efficiency during the year.
He also highlighted the council’s capability to conduct evaluations regardless of security difficulties, including banditry, kidnapping and sit-at-home orders.
According to the registrar, NECO recorded progress in the conduct of its internal assessments, timely release of outcomes, promo exercises without disagreements and the development of info and communication technology software application.
The annual awards covered personnel throughout the council’s zones, states and head offices, along with prospects who excelled in NECO assessments.
Wushishi further revealed that 55 previous workers who retired in 2025 got certificates of service during the event.
The awards were presented across various categories, including acknowledgment for retirees and exceptional staff, in addition to awards for the best state planner, best driver and top-performing candidates.
Speaking on behalf of the Niger State Federal Government, the Director-General of Student Affairs, Bello Sheriff, congratulated the receivers and motivated NECO to keep its record of achievements.
Among the award receivers were Akai Kuyet, who was acknowledged as the very best female candidate in the SSCE category, and Felix Emenike, who emerged as the best male prospect.
In the National Gifted Evaluation category, Ezeudu Akachukwu was recognised as the best male candidate, while Ubochi Nancy became the best female prospect.