June 14, 2025
Over 64,000 candidates from Nigeria, Benin Republic, and Togo on Saturday participated in the National Common Entrance Examination (NCEE) for admission into Federal Government Colleges, also known as Unity Schools.
The annual examination, which was conducted by the National Examinations Council (NECO), marks a significant regional exercise aimed at fostering educational integration and national unity. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the exam was held simultaneously across various centers, with no major challenges recorded.
Monitoring the exercise in Abuja at Model Secondary School, Maitama and Government Secondary School, Tudun Wada, the Minister of State for Education, Prof. Suwaiba Ahmad, expressed satisfaction with the smooth conduct and high turnout of candidates.
“I am very happy with the way the exams have been conducted. They started on time, students were orderly, and invigilators were present and active,” she said.
According to the minister, the total number of candidates stood at 64,000, comprising 30,000 males and 34,000 females. She noted that this reflects a strong and growing public confidence in the Unity School system.
“Nigerians are still eager to have their children in Federal Government Colleges. This turnout shows that parents still value the role of Unity Schools in national cohesion,” she added.
Speaking on the regional reach of the examination, NECO Registrar, Prof. Ibrahim Wushishi, revealed that Lagos State had the highest number of registered candidates with over 15,000, while Togo recorded the lowest with 17 candidates. A total of 109 candidates from Benin Republic and Togo, all Nigerian citizens residing in those countries, participated in the examination.
“This is a truly regional exercise that affirms the reach and reputation of our Unity Colleges,” Wushishi stated.
He also confirmed that the exam process was seamless, with materials delivered promptly and all activities commencing as scheduled. Importantly, no incidents or irregularities were reported across the centers.
In a notable inclusion effort, the NECO boss highlighted that provisions were made for children with special needs, including the supply of braille materials and the presence of support personnel to ensure their participation.
The Director of Senior Secondary Education at the Federal Ministry of Education, Binta Abdulkadir, reiterated that admissions into Unity Schools will be guided by a combination of merit, state quota, and exigency, a policy that primarily benefits children of civil servants.
She assured that the final admission process will be based on the official release of results and would remain fair, transparent, and inclusive.
The NCEE serves as a gateway for primary school pupils to gain entry into Nigeria’s Federal Government Colleges. Admission into the first term academic session will begin immediately after the release of examination results.
