The National Business and Technical Examinations Board (NABTEB) has announced the release of the 2026 National Common Entrance Examination (NCEE) results, revealing that more than three-quarters of candidates scored at least 50 per cent. However, the board also reported a sharp decline in the number of applicants compared to the previous year.
Speaking on Tuesday, NABTEB Registrar and Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Aminu Mohammed, said the examination was successfully conducted across the country on June 13.
According to him, only 15,290 candidates registered for the 2026 examination, down from 29,260 candidates in 2025. The drop of 13,970 candidates represents a 47.74 per cent decline in enrolment.
Of the registered candidates, 13,848 sat for the examination, accounting for 90.57 per cent, while 1,442 candidates, or 9.43 per cent, were absent.
Presenting the performance statistics, Mohammed disclosed that 10,426 candidates, representing 75.29 per cent of those who took the examination, scored 50 per cent and above. In addition, 5,708 candidates, equivalent to 41.22 per cent, achieved scores of 70 per cent and above.
He added that 3,422 candidates, or 24.71 per cent, scored below the 50 per cent mark, while 31 candidates (0.22 per cent) recorded exceptional performances with scores of 96 per cent and above.
The registrar said the examination was held in 34 Federal Technical Colleges and 168 State Technical Colleges across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory, noting that the process was conducted peacefully and in line with NABTEB’s quality assurance standards.
Candidates registered across 28 trade areas grouped into five major clusters: Mechanical Technology, Electrical Technology, Construction Technology, Creative and Culinary Arts, and Agricultural Technology.
Electrical Installation and Maintenance Practice emerged as the most popular trade, attracting 3,870 candidates. It was followed by Computer Hardware and GSM Repairs/Maintenance with 2,857 candidates.
Other trades with high enrolment included Catering Craft Practice (1,780 candidates), Bricklaying, Blocklaying and Concreting (1,553 candidates), Automobile Mechanics (1,156 candidates), and Fashion Design and Garment Making, which recorded 940 candidates.
On the other end of the scale, Tiling and Cladding had the lowest enrolment with just one candidate. Social Media Content Creation and Management recorded two candidates, while Fish Farming Activities attracted three candidates.
Motorcycle and Tricycle Repairs had five candidates, Creative Media recorded six candidates, Automobile CNG Conversion enrolled nine candidates, and Leather Works attracted 18 candidates.
Mohammed announced that registration for the supplementary National Common Entrance Examination will begin before the end of July to provide another opportunity for prospective candidates.
He also encouraged parents and guardians to support their children in pursuing Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET), describing it as a pathway to employment, entrepreneurship, and self-reliance.
“The future of work is increasingly driven by skills, innovation, creativity and technology. Technical Colleges provide young Nigerians with practical competencies that prepare them for self-reliance, employment, entrepreneurship and lifelong learning,” he said.
