FG announced the 2026 general entry results when 10 candidates shared the highest scores

The Federal Government has officially released the 2026 National Common Entrance Examination (NCEE) results, with 10 candidates emerging as top performers after scoring 202 marks out of a possible 210.

The results were announced on Thursday in Abuja by the Minister of State for Education, Prof. Suwaiba Ahmad, shortly after the National Examination Council (NECO) submitted its report on the national examination.

Giving an overview of this year’s exercise, the minister revealed that 70,357 students applied to compete for admission to 80 Federal State Universities, known as Unity Colleges.

Of the registered candidates, he said, 66,950 sat for the examination which was held on Saturday, June 6, 2026 across Nigeria as well as designated centers in Benin Republic and Togo, while 3,407 candidates did not turn up.

According to the Minister of Finance, the highest score recorded in the exam was 202 achieved by 10 candidates, while the lowest score was obtained by 82 candidates, namely one mark.

“The National Common Entrance Examination is held every year for qualified Nigerian children, both within and outside the country, who wish to gain admission into Federal Government Tertiary Institutions spread across the country,” Ahmad said.

Also read: APM urges Tinubu to suspend Umahi, launch independent probe into Mary Habila’s death

He described the exam as the main route to entry into Unity Colleges’ Junior High School One (JSS1), and noted that it continues to rank among the most competitive entrance exams in the country.

The minister also highlighted the role of Federal Government Colleges in fostering national cohesion by bringing together students from different ethnic, religious and geographical backgrounds, a factor he said had maintained their popularity among parents.

In addition to the Common Entrance results, Ahmad announced the release of the 2026 National Talented Examination held for admission to the Federal Government Academy, Suleja.

He revealed that of the 2,071 candidates who registered, 1,876 people took the exam, and 195 people did not attend.

According to him, the highest score obtained in the exam was 187 marks or representing 89.05 percent of the total marks obtained, while the lowest score was four marks.

The Minister further confirmed that the admission policy into Federal Government Colleges will remain in force, with admission determined by 60 percent merit, 30 percent state equivalency, and 10 percent urgency.

He directed the Department of Higher Secondary Education to complete the placement process without delay and ensure full compliance with the approved admission framework.

Reaffirming the Federal Government’s commitment to improving the quality of education at Unity Colleges, Ahmad said efforts would continue to focus on improving facilities, improving student welfare and strengthening teaching standards.

“Our Federal Public Universities have become the first choice for many parents in Nigeria. We will continue to improve the infrastructure, food and quality of teachers to ensure better learning outcomes for our children,” he said.

Previously, the Registrar of the National Examinations Council (NECO), Prof. Ibrahim Dantani Wushishi, officially handed over the results of the 2026 National Common Entrance Examination and the National Gifted Examination results to the minister before being announced to the public.