FG Hails Successful NECO CBT Rollout, Assures No Student Will Be Left Behind

The Federal Government has commended the successful implementation of the NECO CBT rollout for the 2026 Senior School Certificate Examination (SSCE), saying the initiative marks a significant milestone in the country’s efforts to modernise public examinations.

The Minister of State for Education, Professor Suwaiba Sa’id Ahmad, made the remarks on Tuesday after monitoring the examination in Abuja. She expressed satisfaction with the smooth conduct of the computer-based test, noting that there were no technical glitches and that candidates adapted well to the new examination format.

According to the minister, the introduction of the CBT system strengthens the credibility of examinations by randomising questions, reducing opportunities for examination malpractice, and promoting merit-based assessment among students.

Professor Ahmad stressed that the Federal Government remains committed to expanding the NECO CBT rollout across the country through a gradual and inclusive process. She assured Nigerians that no student would be disadvantaged because of limited access to digital facilities or inadequate infrastructure.

She disclosed that the Federal Ministry of Education is collaborating with the National Assembly, state governments, and private sector partners to improve ICT infrastructure and ensure the successful nationwide implementation of computer-based examinations.

Speaking on the exercise, the Registrar of the National Examinations Council (NECO), Professor Ibrahim Dantani Wushishi, revealed that a total of 1,378,048 candidates registered for the 2026 SSCE, including more than 700,000 female candidates.

He also announced that the examination results are expected to be released by the first week of September 2026 or even earlier, depending on the completion of the marking and processing stages.

The Federal Government reiterated that the NECO CBT rollout is part of its broader commitment to using technology to improve examination integrity, enhance learning outcomes, and build a globally competitive education system capable of meeting international standards.