NECO 2026 Results Show Decline in Student Performance

The National Examinations Council (NECO) conducted the 2026 Senior School Certificate Examination (SSCE), revealing a marginal decline in performance compared to 2025. The national average pass rate was reported at 60.13%, with only 19 out of Nigeria's 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) achieving rates above this benchmark.

Katsina emerged as the weakest-performing state, with a pass rate of just 26.82%. Other states with low performance included Borno at 40.34%, Adamawa at 37.76%, Akwa Ibom at 37.42%, and Yobe at 44.57%.

The FCT managed a pass rate of 46.18%, while Jigawa recorded 48.95%. In total, 162,302 candidates sat for the examination, but only 74,413, or 45.85%, passed with five credits, including English and Mathematics, which are essential for further academic progression.

The results have sparked concerns regarding the quality of secondary education in various regions of Nigeria.