Taraba, Yobe, and Adamawa states recorded low participation in the 2026 National Common Entrance Examination (NCEE), according to figures released by the National Examinations Council (NECO).

A total of 58,187 candidates sat for the examination on Saturday for admission into Federal Government Colleges, popularly known as Unity Schools. Of this number, 31,877 were female, while 26,310 were male.

While Lagos State led the registration chart with 13,228 candidates, followed by the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, with 9,639 and Anambra State with 4,410, several states recorded strikingly low numbers.

Taraba State had the least participation with only 15 candidates, while Yobe and Adamawa registered 41 and 86 candidates, respectively. Bayelsa recorded 117 candidates, Kebbi 139, Bauchi 148 and Gombe 171. Sokoto registered 210 candidates, Borno 243, Kogi 253, Nasarawa 264, Ekiti 285 and Katsina 289 candidates.

The low figures contrasted sharply with states such as Imo, Rivers, Jigawa and Enugu, which recorded 3,292; 2,587; 2,575 and 2,365 candidates respectively.

Speaking after monitoring the examination in Abuja, the Minister of State for Education, Prof. Suwaiba Ahmad, expressed satisfaction with the conduct of the exercise.

“We have been to three schools, and I am happy with the conduct of the examination in all the centres visited. The students are orderly, well seated, and the examination started on time,” she said.

The minister, however, expressed concern over absenteeism, revealing that about 18 candidates were absent in one of the halls visited.

She added that the registration documents inspected showed compliance with the prescribed age requirements and reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to improving infrastructure for effective teaching and learning.

Also speaking, NECO Registrar, Prof. Ibrahim Wushishi, said the 58,187 candidates represented a decline from the 64,578 recorded in 2025, adding that reports from across the country indicated that the exercise was largely hitch-free.

Wushishi attributed the higher number of female candidates to the Federal Government’s efforts to promote girl-child education.

“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 minister and members of the NECO management team monitored the examination at Model Secondary School, Maitama, Government Science Technical College, Garki, and Federal Government Boys’ College, Garki, all in Abuja. (Daily Trust)