By Jide Olusola
A major gap in participation has been recorded across Nigeria in the 2026 National Common Entrance Examination (NCEE), as 58,187 pupils sat for the exam on Saturday for admission into Federal Government Colleges, also known as Unity Schools.
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The examination, conducted by the National Examinations Council (NECO), was held simultaneously across the country under calm and orderly conditions. However, official figures have revealed a striking imbalance in the number of candidates registered across states.
Out of the total number, 31,877 were girls, while 26,310 were boys, indicating higher female participation this year.
While some states recorded very high turnout, others showed unexpectedly low participation levels.
Lagos State led the country with 13,228 candidates, followed by the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) with 9,639 and Anambra State with 4,410 candidates.
In sharp contrast, some states recorded extremely low numbers. Taraba State had only 15 candidates, while Yobe recorded 41 and Adamawa 86. Other states, including Bayelsa, Kebbi, Bauchi, Gombe, Sokoto, Borno, Kogi, Nasarawa, Ekiti, and Katsina, also recorded relatively low figures.
Meanwhile, stronger participation was recorded in Imo State (3,292), Rivers (2,587), Jigawa (2,575), and Enugu (2,365), showing wide differences in educational engagement across regions.
Despite the disparities, education officials described the examination as smooth and well-coordinated nationwide.
The minister of state for education, Prof. Suwaiba Ahmad, who monitored the exercise in Abuja, expressed satisfaction with the conduct of the exam, noting that students were orderly and the process began on time in all centres visited.
She, however, raised concern over a few cases of absenteeism recorded during the exercise.
NECO Registrar Prof. Ibrahim Wushishi confirmed that this year’s figure dropped from 64,578 candidates in 2025 but said the examination was largely hitch-free across the country.
He also noted that the higher number of female candidates reflects ongoing efforts to promote girl-child education in Nigeria.
Officials monitored the examination in several Abuja centres, including Model Secondary School, Maitama, Government Science Technical College, Garki, and Federal Government Boys’ College, Garki, where the exercise was described as smooth and well-organised.
Education authorities say the figures highlight both progress and concern, as efforts continue to encourage equal participation of children across all states in national examinations.
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