Kano has highest number of students who passed NECO 2026 – Governor

Kano State topped Nigeria in the 2026 Senior School Certificate Examination administered by the National Examinations Council (NECO), with 74,413 candidates achieving five or more credits, including English Language and Mathematics, according to a statement from Sunusi Bature Dawakin Tofa, Director-General of Media and Publicity for Kano State Government.

Lagos State came in second place with 72,496 candidates meeting the five-credit requirement, followed by Oyo State with 55,543 candidates. Kano has held the top position for the second year in a row, having secured the highest number of candidates meeting the benchmark in the 2025 NECO examination. Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf of Kano State praised the students, teachers, parents, and other stakeholders for the impressive results, emphasizing that the state's continued investment in education is yielding tangible outcomes.

Yusuf's administration has allocated over N4.4 billion to sponsor candidates for the examination, particularly focusing on supporting indigent students to provide them with better conditions to participate. The governor highlighted that the latest NECO performance reflects the progress made by Kano students under his leadership and dedicated the achievement to all stakeholders involved.

Kano's top position in the 2026 NECO results is attributed to the sustained government investment in education, which includes improved learning facilities, teacher recruitment and training, scholarships, and support for underprivileged students.