Minister Hails Smooth Conduct of National Common Entrance Exam as 64,000 Sat for Unity Schools Exam

The Minister of State for Education, Professor Suwaiba Sa’idu Ahmad, has commended the seamless and well-coordinated conduct of the 2025 National Common Entrance Examination (NCEE), in which over 64,000 candidates across Nigeria and designated international centres competed for admission into the highly regarded Federal Unity Colleges.

While monitoring the examination at key centres in Abuja, including Model Secondary School, Maitama, and Government Secondary School, Tudun Wada, the Minister observed a high level of organization, punctuality, and discipline among candidates and officials. She noted that the examination process reflects the Ministry’s commitment to strengthening education delivery across the nation.

Administered by the National Examinations Council (NECO), this year’s exercise recorded 30,000 male and 34,000 female candidates, signifying a positive trend toward greater female participation and inclusivity in educational access. The examination was conducted across all 36 states, the Federal Capital Territory, and select centres in the Republic of Benin and Togo. Lagos State had the highest number of candidates with over 15,000, while Togo recorded the least with 17 candidates.

The Minister noted that the strong turnout underscores the enduring public confidence in Unity Schools as vital institutions for promoting national unity and academic excellence. She also acknowledged that the smooth execution of the NCEE sets a benchmark for subsequent national examinations, particularly the forthcoming Senior Secondary Certificate Examination (SSCE), highlighting the Ministry’s ongoing drive for transparency, efficiency, and educational advancement.

The Registrar and Chief Executive of NECO, Professor Ibrahim Dantani Wushishi, confirmed that the examination proceeded without any major challenges, with examination materials delivered in a timely manner to all centres. He emphasized the importance of the NCEE as a symbol of national cohesion, with Nigerian children participating both within the country and from centres abroad, including the Republic of Benin and Togo. Professor Wushishi reiterated NECO’s commitment to inclusivity by ensuring that candidates with special needs—such as those with autism or visual impairments—were adequately supported with appropriate materials and assistance during the examination.

He further acknowledged the strong nationwide and international interest in Unity Schools, evidenced by the 64,000 registrations, which reflect parents’ continued trust in the quality and values these institutions uphold.

In a related development, Hajiya Binta Abdulkadir, Director of Senior Secondary Education, outlined that admission into Unity Colleges is based on three key components: merit, state quota, and official considerations in line with equity and inclusiveness. The Federal Ministry of Education remains committed to upholding standards in Unity Schools and the education sector.

Signed by
Boriowo Folasade
Director, Press and Public Relations

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