Kano State has topped the 2026 National Examinations Council (NECO) examination, with 74,413 candidates obtaining at least five credits, including English Language and Mathematics. This achievement marks the second consecutive year Kano has led the national NECO performance ranking, following its first-place position in 2025. The state's success is attributed to its sustained investment in education.
Lagos State ranked second in the 2026 NECO examination with 72,496 candidates achieving the required credits, while Oyo State placed third with 55,543 candidates. Kano State Governor Abba Yusuf commended students, teachers, parents, and stakeholders for their contributions to the state's performance. He expressed satisfaction with the state's back-to-back performance, demonstrating the impact of its education investments.
Governor Yusuf assured residents that his administration would continue to prioritize education through increased funding, improved learning facilities, teacher recruitment and training, scholarships, and support for disadvantaged students. In 2026, the state government spent over ₦4.4 billion to sponsor candidates for the Senior Secondary School Certificate Examination, particularly indigent students, to remove financial barriers.
The governor disclosed that education consistently received the largest share of Kano's annual budget, exceeding the UNESCO benchmark. In 2024, education received 29.95% of the state's budget, rising to ₦168.35 billion (31%) in 2025. For 2026, the state allocated ₦405.35 billion to education, representing about 30% of the ₦1.479 trillion state budget.
Governor Yusuf stated that the investment extended beyond examination sponsorship to classroom renovation, teacher recruitment, provision of learning materials and uniforms, scholarships, and initiatives aimed at improving educational outcomes. The administration's education policies have attracted national and international recognition, including awards for literacy, learning, and education spending.
The governor cited several recognitions, including the Leadership Newspaper Governor of the Year Award for Education in 2024 and the New Telegraph recognition for educational development. He also received the Teachers' Friendly Governor of the Year award from the Nigeria Union of Teachers and the Governor of the Year for Education award from Blueprint Newspaper.
The state's goal is to build an education system that equips Kano's young population with the knowledge and skills needed for higher education, employment, innovation, and leadership. With over five million schoolchildren recorded in the latest annual school census, the governor emphasized the need for continued investment in the education sector to achieve this goal.
Key points
- Kano State has topped the 2026 NECO examination for the second consecutive year.
- The state government has prioritized education through increased funding and initiatives to improve educational outcomes.
- The administration's education policies have attracted national and international recognition.
