Abia State has emerged as the top performer in the 2026 National Examinations Council Senior Secondary Certificate Examination, with 81.78% of its candidates obtaining at least five credits, including English Language and Mathematics. This was announced by Chijioke Nwuzor, Permanent Member II of the Ebonyi State Universal Basic Education Board, in Abakaliki on Saturday. Ebonyi State followed closely, ranking second nationwide with 81.03%.
According to Nwuzor, the state-by-state performance data revealed that Ekiti State came third with 77.68%, followed by Delta with 75.17%, and Osun with 74.31%. Other states listed among the top 10 were Lagos with 74.15%, Oyo with 74.12%, Imo with 74.10%, Bayelsa with 73.92%, and Ogun with 73.34%. These rankings demonstrate the relative performance of states in the 2026 NECO examination.
Nwuzor attributed Ebonyi State's impressive performance to investments in teaching and learning facilities, as well as a conducive school environment. He noted that one of the state's schools, Urban Model Secondary School, Abakaliki, played a significant role in achieving the reported 81.03% benchmark performance. The school's strong showing contributed to the state's overall ranking.
The Permanent Member II of the Ebonyi State Universal Basic Education Board commended Governor Francis Nwifuru for his administration's commitment to developing the education sector alongside other sectors of the state economy. Nwuzor described the governor's efforts as intentional and impactful, leading to measurable results in the education sector.
Nwuzor expressed pride in the state's achievement, stating that sustained investment in education could produce significant results. He encouraged the government and education stakeholders to build on this success, emphasizing that much more was expected from the state's education sector. The achievement demonstrates the effectiveness of Ebonyi State's education policies.
The reported NECO performance is a significant boost to education in Ebonyi State, according to Nwuzor. He praised Governor Nwifuru's leadership, describing him as a "God-sent" leader who is dedicated to developing Ebonyi State in all sectors. The governor's commitment to education has yielded positive results, as evident in the state's NECO performance.
The 2026 NECO performance rankings reflect the relative strengths of states in Nigeria's education sector. Abia State's top ranking and Ebonyi State's second-place ranking demonstrate the impact of effective education policies and investments in teaching and learning facilities. These states have set a high standard for others to follow, and their achievements serve as a benchmark for education stakeholders nationwide.
Key points
- Abia State tops 2026 NECO performance with 81.78%, Ebonyi State ranks second with 81.03%.
- Ebonyi State's performance is attributed to investments in teaching and learning facilities and a conducive school environment.
- Governor Francis Nwifuru's administration has been commended for its commitment to developing the education sector in Ebonyi State.
