NECO Releases 2026 SSCE Internal Results: Over 58% Secure Five Credits Including English and Maths

Posted: Sat Sep 26 2026

Minna, Niger State — The National Examinations Council (NECO) has officially released the results of the 2026 Senior School Certificate Examination (SSCE) for internal candidates.

The announcement was made by the Registrar and Chief Executive of NECO, Prof. Dantani Wushishi, during a press briefing held at the council’s headquarters in Minna on Thursday, September 24, 2026. According to the council, the results were published 63 days after the conclusion of the final examination paper.

Registration and Turnout

Providing a breakdown of participation figures, Prof. Wushishi revealed that a total of 1,378,048 candidates registered for the 2026 examination nationwide and across international centres, comprising 682,352 males and 695,696 females.

Out of this number, 1,371,992 candidates eventually sat for the examination (678,903 males and 693,089 females). The examination cohort also included 334 candidates with special needs, covering various challenges such as visual and hearing impairments, albinism, autism, and low vision.

Performance Analysis and Success Rates

NECO’s official performance analysis indicates a strong showing by candidates across the board:

Benchmark with English and Mathematics: A total of 804,948 candidates, representing 58.67% of those who sat for the examination, obtained five credits and above, including both English Language and Mathematics.
Benchmark irrespective of English and Mathematics: A broader category showed that 1,162,118 candidates, representing 84.70%, obtained five credits and above irrespective of their performance in English Language and Mathematics.

Understanding Performance and Non-Meeting Margins

Analyzing the metrics reveals that 41.33% of the candidates (567,044 students) did not meet the prime benchmark of five credits including English and Mathematics. Education analysts note that this figure represents candidates who fell short of the specific matriculation requirement combination rather than a total examination collapse, as many within this bracket still passed several individual subjects successfully or met the alternative five-credit threshold.

Examination Malpractice Records a Massive Decline

One of the major highlights of the 2026 SSCE release was a steep downward trend in examination malpractice.

NECO reported that 1,406 candidates were caught engaging in various forms of malpractice during the exercise. This reflects a dramatic 64.74% reduction when compared to the 3,878 malpractice cases recorded in the 2025 examinations. Prof. Wushishi credited the notable decline to tighter security architecture, systemic reforms, and the cooperation of security and regulatory agencies.

How to Check the 2026 NECO SSCE Results

Candidates who sat for the examination can check their grades online by following these simple steps on the official portal:

Visit the official NECO result-checking website at results.neco.gov.ng.
Select 2026 as the Examination Year.
Select the appropriate Examination Type (e.g., SSCE Internal).
Input your valid NECO Result Checking Token (tokens can be purchased directly on the platform if required).
Enter your correct NECO Registration Number.
Click on "Check Result" to view your grades.

NECO strongly advises candidates and parents to use only the official portal and avoid unverified third-party agents or websites to prevent data theft or scams.

Registrar’s Remarks and Next Steps for Candidates

In his concluding statements, Prof. Wushishi commended stakeholders, teaching staff, and security outfits—including the DSS, NSCDC, and JAMB—for maintaining order throughout the examination period. He reiterated NECO's unwavering dedication to protecting the sanctity, credibility, and global acceptance of its certificates.

What Candidates Should Do Next:

With the results now out, candidates planning to process admissions into tertiary institutions (Universities, Polytechnics, and Colleges of Education) should:

Carefully review their score prints to ensure they meet the specific O'level subject combinations required for their intended courses.
Proceed to update their details on the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) Central Admissions Processing System (CAPS) portal if they are participating in ongoing or upcoming admission exercises.
Safeguard their physical statement of results and tokens carefully.