By Joy Omagha Idam
Kano State has recorded the highest number of candidates nationwide who obtained at least five credits, including English Language and Mathematics, in the 2026 Senior School Certificate Examination conducted by the National Examinations Council (NECO).
According to figures contained in a statement issued by the Kano State Government on September 26, 2026, a total of 74,413 Kano candidates met the five-credit benchmark, placing the state ahead of Lagos, which recorded 72,496 candidates, while Oyo State ranked third with 55,543 candidates.
The latest performance gives Kano its second consecutive first-place position on the stated NECO performance measure, following a similar outcome in the 2025 examination.
The development has prompted commendation from Kano State Governor, Alhaji Abba Kabir Yusuf, who attributed the performance to the collective efforts of students, teachers, parents and other stakeholders in the state’s education sector.
Governor Yusuf said the back-to-back result demonstrated what he described as the measurable impact of sustained investment in education.
He assured residents that his administration would continue to place education among its major priorities, with emphasis on funding, improvement of learning facilities, recruitment and training of teachers, scholarships and assistance for students from financially disadvantaged backgrounds.
N4.4bn Examination Sponsorship
A major component of the state’s intervention, according to the government, was the expenditure of more than N4.4 billion in 2026 to sponsor candidates for the Senior Secondary School Certificate Examination, particularly students described as indigent.
The Governor said the initiative was intended to reduce financial obstacles that could prevent students from participating in the examination and to create better conditions for them to pursue their academic goals.
Beyond examination sponsorship, the administration listed classroom renovation, provision of learning materials, school uniforms, teacher recruitment, scholarships and other educational interventions among the areas receiving government attention.
Governor Yusuf said the latest NECO performance should therefore be viewed within the broader context of the administration’s continuing education policies rather than as an isolated examination result.
Education Takes Centre Stage in Kano Budget
The Kano Government also pointed to the increasing financial allocation to education as part of its explanation for the state’s reported progress.
According to the figures released by the administration, education received approximately 29.95 per cent of the state’s budget in 2024.
The allocation reportedly rose to N168.35 billion, representing about 31 per cent, in the 2025 budget.
For 2026, the government says N405.35 billion was allocated to education, representing about 30 per cent of the state’s total budget of N1.478 trillion.
The administration maintains that the expenditure covers a range of interventions designed to improve access to education and strengthen the learning environment across the state.
A Second Consecutive NECO Milestone
The 2026 result places particular attention on Kano’s education trajectory because the state also recorded the highest number of candidates meeting the same five-credit threshold, including English and Mathematics, in the 2025 NECO examination.
Governor Yusuf described the latest achievement as evidence of continuing improvement in the state’s education sector and dedicated the reported performance to Kano’s students, teachers, parents and the wider population.
He said the administration’s long-term objective was to develop an education system capable of preparing young people for higher education, employment, innovation and leadership.
The Governor also cited the state’s school population as an indication of the scale of the challenge, stating that Kano recorded more than five million schoolchildren in the latest annual school census.
Recognition for Education Policies
The Kano Government further cited several awards and recognitions received by Governor Yusuf and his administration in connection with education, governance and public-sector performance.
Among those listed were education-related awards from Leadership Newspaper, New Telegraph, the Nigeria Union of Teachers and Blueprint Newspaper.
The statement also referenced international recognition received in London and Paris in 2026 for the state’s reported commitment to literacy, learning and education spending.
Other recognitions mentioned by the government included awards from Vanguard, BusinessDay and African Leadership Magazine.
Such recognitions, the administration said, reflect the attention its education policies have attracted beyond Kano.
For Kano, however, the significance of the latest NECO figures goes beyond awards and official commendations. The reported performance places renewed focus on whether sustained public investment can translate into broader improvements in learning outcomes, access, teaching quality and opportunities for the state’s large student population.
Governor Yusuf reiterated his administration’s commitment to maintaining the momentum, saying investment in education would remain central to its development agenda.
The statement was signed by Sunusi Bature Dawakin Tofa, Director-General, Media and Publicity, Government House, Kano.