The National Business and Technical Examinations Board (NABTEB) has released the results of the 2026 National Common Entrance Examination, with 75.29 per cent of candidates scoring 50 per cent and above.
The Registrar and Chief Executive Officer of NABTEB, Dr. Aminu Mohammed, announced the results on Tuesday, stating that the examination was conducted nationwide on June 13, 2026.
According to him, a total of 15,290 candidates registered for the examination, representing a significant decline from the 29,260 candidates who registered in 2025.
He said the drop of 13,970 candidates represents a 47.74 per cent decrease in enrolment compared to the previous year.
Out of those who registered, 13,848 candidates, representing 90.57 per cent, sat for the examination, while 1,442 candidates, or 9.43 per cent, were absent.
Dr. Mohammed disclosed that 10,426 candidates, representing 75.29 per cent of those who sat for the examination, scored 50 per cent and above, while 5,708 candidates, or 41.22 per cent, obtained scores of 70 per cent and above.
He added that 3,422 candidates, representing 24.71 per cent, scored below 50 per cent, while 31 candidates, equivalent to 0.22 per cent, recorded outstanding performances with scores of 96 per cent and above.
The examination was conducted in 34 Federal Technical Colleges and 168 State Technical Colleges across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory.
According to the Registrar, the exercise was carried out peacefully and in line with NABTEB’s quality assurance guidelines to ensure transparency and credibility.
Candidates participated in 28 trade programmes grouped into five major clusters: Mechanical, Electrical, Construction, Creative and Culinary, and Agricultural Technology.
Among the various trades, Electrical Installation and Maintenance Practice recorded the highest enrolment with 3,870 candidates, followed by Computer Hardware and GSM Repairs/Maintenance with 2,857 candidates.
Other highly subscribed trades included Catering Craft Practice, Bricklaying, Blocklaying and Concreting, Automobile Mechanics, and Fashion Design and Garment Making.
On the other hand, Tiling and Cladding recorded the lowest enrolment with just one candidate, while Social Media Content Creation and Management had two candidates.
Other trades with relatively low enrolment included Fish Farming Activities, Motorcycle and Tricycle Repairs, Creative Media, Automobile CNG Conversion, and Leather Works.
Dr. 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’s participation in Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET), describing it as a pathway to employment, entrepreneurship and self-reliance.
According to him, the future workforce will increasingly depend on practical skills, innovation, creativity and technology, making technical education an important driver of national development.
