The National Examinations Council (NECO) says a total of 70,603 candidates sat for the 2024 National Common Entrance Examination (NCEE) into federal unity colleges.
Dantani Wushishi, NECO registrar, disclosed this while monitoring the exercise in Abuja on Saturday.
Wushishi said the examination was conducted in 599 centres across the country.
He said 33,335 males and 37,268 females registered for the examination.
The registrar said this year’s registration was lower than 2023 which recorded 72,865 candidates.
NECO said Lagos had the highest number of candidates with 17,751, followed by the FCT with 10,209 and Anambra with 4,972.
The exam body said Gombe, Borno, and Bayelsa states had the least candidates with only 174, 138, and 133 participants respectively.
Wushishi said the low turnout may be due to economic hardship following the increase in the registration fee.
The registrar debunked claims that underage children participated in the exercise.
He said candidates were 10 years old or had a month or two to be 10.
“For the males and females, last year’s registration was higher than this year’s registration,” Wushishi said.
“This could be attributed to so many factors; economic factor is the most prevalent factor that maybe could hinder this large registration.”
Didi Walson-Jack, permanent secretary ministry of education, praised NECO for ensuring a smooth and seamless exercise.
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