16,714 candidates absent over #EndSARS as NECO releases common entrance results

The National Examinations Council (NECO) has released the 2020 National Common Entrance Examination (NCEE) results with the national cut-off mark fixed at 142.

Godswill Obioma, NECO’s registrar, broke the news on Monday when he presented the results to Adamu Adamu, minister for education, in Abuja.

He said that a total number of 16,714 candidates were absent from the examination due to the ENDSARS protests that rocked the country in October.

Obioma also said that 70,580 candidates sat for the examination across the country out of which 24,416 passed with a minimum score of 66.

According to him, Umeonyiagu Chinua Crucifixio from Anambra state emerged the overall best after scoring 199 in the exam.

He added that Onwuamanam Udochukwu from Enugu came second with a score of 198 while Salaam Mariam Aderemilekun from Lagos State clinched the third spot with 197.

In his remarks, Adamu commended the council over the conduct of the exam despite the challenges posed by the coronavirus pandemic and the #EndSARS protests.

The minister added that the carrying capacity of unity colleges has been increased to 26,625 for the current academic year following the establishment of six more federal science and technical colleges across the six geopolitical zones.

“The total carrying capacity of our 110 Unity Colleges now stands 26,625, having added 720 slots with the establishment of six more Federal Science and Technical Colleges across the six geopolitical zones,” he said.

“As has been the tradition for decades, the admission criteria include 60 per cent strictly on merit, 30 per cent based on states’ representation in the Unity Colleges and the remaining 10 per cent to cover other sundry considerations such as special needs candidates, gender, local community and biological children of teachers, PTA, SBMC and old students organizations, etc.”

The minister added that this year’s admission will be based on “60 per cent merit, followed by the 30 per cent equality of States and 10 per cent discretion.”

“I have, therefore, directed that within 72 hours of the receipt of the results, principals are to complete both the merit-based (60 per cent) and 30 per cent of equality of states admission,” he added.

“The selection meeting to be held at a designated date and venue will deal with the shopping and swapping of candidates to meet the 30 per cent states representation as much as possible.”