The Federal Government has released the 2022 results of the National Common Entrance Examination (NECO) held on May 7 into the 104 unity colleges across the country.
Mallam Adamu Adamu, Minister of Education, who was represented by the ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Mr David Adejo, in Abuja on Monday, said, a Sokoto State indigene, Ajidapa Mariam scored the highest marks of 201, while Idara Obot, an Akwa Ibom indigene, placed second, with 200 scores.
He stated that 15 individuals from various states scored one, the lowest score in the examination.
According Mr Adejo, he said “This year, the examination took place in Nigeria, Benin Republic and Togo. A total of 71,738 pupils sat for the examination, out of which 34,030 were males and 37,708 were females.
“In terms of participation, 96 per cent sat for the examinations, that is 68,633 pupils out of the 71,738.
“Only 4 per cent were absent for various reasons, which could be related to their own choices.
“The state that had registered the highest number of candidates was Lagos state with 19,518, out of which 18,787 sat.
“In the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), 8,623 and out of which only 306 were absent.
“Anambra State had the third highest state with the registration of 5,335 candidates with 265 absent,” he added.
According to the minister, Kebbi state had the lowest registration of 74 candidates, and the 2022 examination saw more female students than males.
He stated that the ministry would adhere to the admittance criterion of 60% on merit, 30% on equality, and 10% for exigencies.
The minister ordered that the National Common Entrance Examination be held in April of each year from now on, with admissions processes to be concluded by the end of May.
The Registrar of the National Examination Council (NECO), Prof. Ibrahim Wushishi said the results of the 2022 Unity Schools examinations were an improvement over the 2021 results with remarkable performances.