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

 

The National Examinations Council (NECO) on Monday November 16, released the 2020 National Common Entrance Examination (NCEE) results.

 

 

 

The exam body which fixed the national cut off marks at 142, said 16,713 candidates were absent due to the #EndSARS protests that rocked the country recently.

 

 

 

Godswill Obioma, NECO’s registrar who disclosed this while presenting the results to the Minister of Education, Mallam Adamu Adamu in Abuja disclosed that a total of 70,580 candidates sat for the examination nationwide, out of which 24,416 candidates passed, scoring a minimum of 66.

 

 

 

He also revealed that three students got the highest scores and they are Umeonyiagu Chinua Crucifixio from Anambra State (199), Onwuamanam Udochukwu from Enugu State (198) and Salaam Mariam Aderemilekun from Lagos State (197).

 

 

 

After receiving the results, Adamu commended the council over the conduct of the exam despite the challenges posed by the coronavirus pandemic and the #EndSARS protest. He 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 Minister said;

 

 

 

“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.

 

"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.

 

“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.