The examination body announced the release on Wednesday via its official X handle, urging candidates to generate their Personal Identification Number (PIN) before checking their results.

According to WAEC, 1,200,514 candidates, representing 61.54 per cent of the 1,950,726 candidates who sat for the examination, obtained credits in at least five subjects, including English Language and Mathematics.

Candidates can access their results by first generating a PIN and serial number on the WAEC portal before proceeding to the result-checking platform. The process requires candidates to provide their examination number, National Identification Number (NIN) used during registration, and contact details for OTP verification.

Approximately 1.96 million candidates from more than 24,200 secondary schools across Nigeria participated in the examination, which was conducted between April 21 and June 19, 2026.

While the majority of candidates wrote the examination using the traditional pen-and-paper format, WAEC noted that a significantly higher number of schools adopted the Computer-Based Testing (CBT) option compared to previous years.

The council had earlier indicated that the results would be released about 45 days after the conclusion of the examination.

The latest release comes months after WAEC published the results of the 2026 First Series Computer-Based WASSCE for Private Candidates.

JAMB disclosed in a notice on Wednesday that the handover ceremony is scheduled for Friday, July 31, 2026, at 10 a.m., adding that the event will be streamed live on its official social media platforms.

The board described the occasion as a significant milestone in its leadership transition and invited members of the public to follow the proceedings online.

The ceremony marks the expiration of Oloyede’s tenure as registrar and the formal commencement of Aina’s administration.

President Bola Tinubu had earlier approved Aina’s appointment as the new Registrar of JAMB, succeeding Oloyede. The announcement was made in a statement by the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga.

According to the Presidency, Aina is a Professor of Computer Engineering at Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, with extensive expertise in digital infrastructure, national examination systems and institutional reforms.

He holds a Bachelor of Engineering degree in Computer Systems Engineering from the University of Kent, a Master’s degree in Internet Computing and Network Security, and a PhD in Digital Signal Processing from Loughborough University, United Kingdom. He also completed the Senior Management Programme at Lagos Business School.

The Presidency said Aina has spent more than 15 years advising federal and state governments on digital transformation, institutional reforms and systems design. He has also served as a consultant to examination bodies, including the National Examinations Council (NECO) and the National Business and Technical Examinations Board (NABTEB), particularly on ICT systems and examination integrity.

The statement further noted that Aina is one of Nigeria’s youngest professors of Computer Engineering and will become the youngest Registrar in JAMB’s history.

President Tinubu expressed confidence that the incoming registrar would build on the reforms and achievements recorded under Oloyede’s leadership while strengthening the board’s operations.

PUNCH

The Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Prof. Igbekele Ajibefun, disclosed this on Friday in Akure during the grand finale of the fourth edition of the Digital Quiz Competition for secondary schools.

The competition was organised by the state government in partnership with Quickens Computer Limited, an Information and Communication Technology firm.

Ajibefun said the state was making substantial investments in digital education, adding that teachers had been equipped with digital skills which they would, in turn, pass on to their students.

According to him, the training programme is an ongoing initiative aimed at preparing schools for the full digital transformation of the education sector.

“The state government is investing heavily in digital education, with the training of our teachers and students in preparation for the digitalisation of our education system. The training is a continuous process,” he said.

He explained that ICT teachers in public secondary schools recently underwent a week-long intensive training organised by the government and its technical partners.

“At least last month, with our technical partners, our ICT teachers in public schools were trained for a whole week on digital education, and this is a continuous exercise. It started last year, and it will continue.

“For the students, when you train the teachers, indirectly you are training the students because the teachers will return to train them,” he added.

The former Vice-Chancellor of Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko, also revealed that no fewer than 50 public secondary schools had received digital equipment through one of the state’s technical partners.

“Digital equipment has been supplied to our educational institutions, particularly secondary schools. About three weeks ago, one of our technical partners, in collaboration with the Ministry of Education, supplied computer equipment to 50 public schools in the state,” he said.

Speaking on the Digital Quiz Competition, Ajibefun described it as an initiative designed to improve digital literacy, promote academic excellence and prepare students for opportunities in a technology-driven world.

“The world is rapidly evolving into a digital society where knowledge, innovation and technological skills have become indispensable tools for national development. As a government, we recognise that the future belongs to individuals who can effectively leverage technology to solve problems, create opportunities and contribute meaningfully to society,” he said.

He added that the competition was created to encourage students to embrace technology not just as users but as innovators and future leaders.

Also speaking, the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Education, Akindele Ige, said the competition was aimed at strengthening digital literacy and critical thinking among students.

“The Ondo State Digital Quiz Competition is more than an academic contest; it is a platform for nurturing critical thinking, creativity, innovation and digital literacy among our young learners. Through initiatives such as this, we are equipping our young people with the skills and values required to succeed in a technology-driven world,” he said.

Among the schools that participated in the competition were Fiwasaye Girls’ Secondary School, Akure; Oyemekun Grammar School, Akure; and Greater Tomorrow Secondary School, Arigidi Akoko, among others.

The achievement was announced on Sunday by the Nigeria Spelling Bee through a post on its official Facebook page.

“Team Nigeria has won the Gold Award in the Middle School Group Category at the Spelling Bee World Cup in Shanghai, China,” the organisation wrote.

Also celebrating the feat, Ar-Raheem International College, Ilorin, confirmed that two of its students, Maryam Yusuf and Abdurrahman Yusuf, were among the medal winners at the international competition.

The school stated, “Ar-Raheem International College students Maryam Yusuf and Abdurrahman Yusuf won medals at the Spelling Bee World Cup final in Shanghai, China 2026.”

The victory comes during Nigeria’s maiden appearance at the Spelling Bee World Cup after qualifying through the Nigeria Spelling Bee and the African Spelling Bee Championship.

The Nigerian team comprised Oluwadamilola Adeolu of St. Lawrence Metropolitan College, Ado-Ekiti, Abdurrahman Yusuf and Maryam Yusuf of Ar-Raheem International College, Ilorin, and Chinedu Okediachi of Madonna International Schools, Asaba.

Before the tournament, the Nigeria Spelling Bee described the country’s qualification as a historic achievement.

“For the first time ever, Nigeria will be represented at the Spelling Bee World Cup, as four outstanding young spellers prepare to compete in Shanghai, China, from July 10 to 20, 2026,” the organisers said.

They noted that the students had progressed from the Nigeria Spelling Bee to the African Spelling Bee Championship in Harare, Zimbabwe, before earning a place on the world stage.

The organisers added that the team was representing not only Nigeria but the entire African continent.

“As they compete against the world’s finest young spellers, they carry with them the hopes of a nation and the pride of an entire continent. Join us in wishing Team Nigeria a successful outing as they make history at the Spelling Bee World Cup 2026,” the statement read.

Ahead of the competition, Adeolu expressed optimism about representing Nigeria globally.

“I am proud to be part of the Nigerian Spelling Bee and African Spelling Bee delegation travelling to the Spelling Bee World Cup in Shanghai, China, to represent Nigeria,” she said.

She added that she looked forward to competing with top young spellers from around the world, improving her vocabulary and confidence, and bringing the championship trophy back to Nigeria.

Adeolu qualified for the World Cup after winning the Junior category at the African Spelling Bee Championship in Harare, Zimbabwe, where she outperformed contestants from more than 30 African countries.

At the same continental competition, Abdurrahman Yusuf finished third, while Team Nigeria emerged as the second-best overall team, further cementing the country’s growing reputation in international spelling contests.

PUNCH

The examination body made the clarification on Friday in response to allegations that surfaced after gunmen abducted five persons, including examination officials and candidates, during the ongoing 2026 NECO SSCE.

In a statement signed by its Acting Director of Information and Public Relations, Azeez Sani, NECO described the allegation as false, stressing that the school is owned by the Kogi State Government and has operated for more than 40 years.

“The National Examinations Council categorically denies the allegation that the examination centre at Government Secondary School, Olowa, Dekina Local Government Area of Kogi State, where five persons were abducted on Tuesday, is a ‘miracle centre’,” the statement read.

While sympathising with the victims, the council commended the Kogi State Government and security agencies for rescuing four of those abducted.

NECO also disagreed with comments attributed to the Kogi State Commissioner for Information and Communications, Kingsley Fanwo, who reportedly described the school as a miracle centre.

According to the council, Government Secondary School, Olowa, has been in existence for over four decades and has consistently presented candidates for NECO examinations over the past 26 years.

The council disclosed that the school’s principal, Elder Daniel Iyamaa, who was abducted during the attack, is a Grade Level 17 officer in the Kogi State Civil Service, while the kidnapped external supervisor, Mr. Solomon Audu, is a Grade Level 12 officer employed by the state government and posted to Community Secondary School, Effin.

NECO further stated that all 28 candidates registered by the school for the 2026 SSCE are duly enrolled students and not external candidates.

“Available records also show that the abducted candidates are duly registered students of Government Secondary School, Olowa, who were presented for the 2026 NECO SSCE by the school in conjunction with the Kogi State Government.

“The Council’s records further indicate that the 28 candidates registered by the school for the 2026 SSCE are bona fide students and not external candidates, contrary to the impression created by the Honourable Commissioner,” the statement added.

To reinforce its position, the council released the school’s SSCE enrolment figures over the past five years, showing that 21 candidates sat the examination in 2021, 20 in 2022, 28 in 2023, 40 in 2024 and 20 in 2025.

It also revealed that the Kogi State Government paid the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) fees for 51 students from the school in the recently concluded 2026 examination.

NECO said it had taken proactive steps to improve security at examination centres, noting that its Kogi State Coordinator had written to security agencies before the commencement of the 2026 SSCE to request enhanced protection.

According to the council, the move followed an earlier attack on Government Secondary School, Iluke, in Ijumu Local Government Area during the 2026 WASSCE.

Reaffirming its commitment to credible examinations, NECO said it maintains zero tolerance for examination malpractice and has implemented wide-ranging reforms under the leadership of its Registrar and Chief Executive, Prof. Dantani Ibrahim Wushishi.

The council said the reforms have significantly reduced reported cases of examination malpractice over the past five years and urged public officials and stakeholders to verify facts before making statements capable of undermining public confidence in educational institutions.

The controversy followed Tuesday’s abduction of the principal of Government Secondary School, Olowa, an external examination supervisor and candidates during the ongoing 2026 NECO SSCE. Four of the victims were later rescued by security agencies.

Owoeye announced the scholarship in a Facebook post on Wednesday, expressing gratitude to the Ekiti Parapo in Indiana, United States, for the award and appreciating her family, friends and other well-wishers for celebrating her achievement.

She described the event as a memorable occasion and said she was deeply touched by the love and support she received.

“It was truly a memorable and heartwarming moment to be celebrated and surrounded by the love of family, friends and well-wishers. My heart is filled with profound gratitude,” she wrote.

She particularly thanked the Ekiti Parapo in Indiana, USA, for its generosity, support and encouragement, saying their kindness made the occasion even more special.

Owoeye also expressed appreciation to the Obaleo of Erinmope-Ekiti, Oba Dr. Sunday Aikuirawo Aniyi Amoyimade Atayese I; the President of Ekiti Parapo, Hon. Awoniyi; her parents, family members and everyone who attended the celebration.

According to her, the prayers, gifts, encouragement and goodwill she received made the event unforgettable.

She prayed for everyone who supported her, asking God to reward them with joy, peace, good health, favour and abundant blessings.

“I am deeply humbled by every act of kindness shown to me. May the Almighty God richly reward you all for your generosity and thoughtfulness,” she added.

PUNCH Online had earlier reported that Owoeye, an indigene of Erinmope-Ekiti in Moba Local Government Area of Ekiti State, emerged as the highest scorer in the 2026 UTME with an aggregate score of 372 out of 400 after sitting for the examination in Ogun State.

The 16-year-old scored 98 in English Language, 98 in Chemistry, 94 in Physics and 82 in Biology. She is seeking admission to study Medicine and Surgery at the University of Lagos.

Speaking with PUNCH Online after the release of the results, Owoeye attributed her success to early preparation, consistency and smart study techniques. She said she relied on past questions, CBT applications, online tutorials and study groups while consistently working on her weak areas throughout her preparation.

In a statement issued on Thursday by the Director of Press and Public Relations at the Federal Ministry of Education, Boriowo Folasade, the government said the resolution followed sustained engagements involving the Federal Ministry of Education, the Oyo State Government and the leadership of the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) at the national, zonal and state levels.

According to the statement, the intervention paved the way for teachers to return to classrooms after weeks of industrial action that disrupted academic activities in public primary and secondary schools.

Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, said the suspension of the strike reflected the commitment of all stakeholders to prioritising the welfare and future of schoolchildren.

“I am glad to report today that the strike has been suspended. Teachers are now returning to school to educate their students. This is the result of our collaboration and coordination with the leadership of the Nigeria Union of Teachers and the Government of Oyo State,” he said.

Alausa commended Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, for demonstrating leadership in resolving the dispute through dialogue. He also praised the National President of the NUT, Comrade Audu Titus Amba, the union’s South-West Zonal Chairman, Comrade Hassan Ajibola Fatai, and the Oyo State leadership of the union for their contributions to resolving the crisis.

The minister reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to ensuring uninterrupted access to quality education and pledged continued collaboration with stakeholders to keep children in school.

“Our children will remain in school, and we will continue to educate them. We will not succumb to terror,” he said.

“This administration remains resolute in confronting insecurity with every available resource and ensuring that our schools continue to serve as safe places for teaching and learning.”

Alausa also paid tribute to teachers across the country for their resilience and dedication to educating future generations.

The Federal Ministry of Education reiterated its commitment to working closely with state governments, teachers’ unions, security agencies and other stakeholders to strengthen school safety, promote dialogue and protect every child’s right to quality education in line with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

The strike was suspended after weeks of disruption to academic activities following the directive by the Nigeria Union of Teachers for its members to withdraw their services over security concerns arising from the abduction of teachers and pupils in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State.

Bishop Nwokolo made the call while delivering remarks at the maiden edition of “The Dialogue,” an annual public lecture organised by the Department of Religion and Cultural Studies, University of Nigeria, Nsukka.

The lecture, themed “Bishop Ajayi Crowther: His Life, Missionary Work and Impact on National Development,” coincided with the 162nd anniversary of Bishop Crowther’s consecration as the first African Anglican bishop.

Before the event, Bishop Nwokolo paid a courtesy visit to the university management, where he was received on behalf of the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Simon Uchenna Ortuanya, by the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Administration), Prof. Onyia.

Welcoming the Anglican bishop, Prof. Onyia described him as one of the institution’s distinguished alumni, noting that he obtained his bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees from the Department of Religion and Cultural Studies.

Responding, Bishop Nwokolo congratulated the Vice Chancellor on his appointment and commended the university’s ongoing developmental strides. He prayed for wisdom and strength for the management to sustain the institution’s progress.

Addressing participants at the lecture, Bishop Nwokolo highlighted Bishop Crowther’s enduring contributions to evangelism, education, language development and nation building, stressing that genuine missionary work extends beyond preaching to transforming society.

He said Crowther demonstrated that the Gospel and national development go hand in hand by investing in education, preserving indigenous languages and promoting human dignity.

The cleric challenged scholars, students and church leaders to remain grounded in Scripture while applying their knowledge to address Nigeria’s contemporary challenges. He urged the academic community to embrace integrity, critical thinking and selfless service as tools for national transformation.

He also prayed for the continued growth of the university, expressing hope that it would remain committed to its mission of restoring the dignity of humanity through education.

In recognition of his contributions to the Church, education and national development, the Dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences, Prof. T.C. Nzeadibe, presented Bishop Nwokolo with an Award of Excellence during the ceremony.

The bishop also announced a donation of ₦5 million to the Department of Religion and Cultural Studies to support its academic development and future programmes.

Following the public lecture, Bishop Nwokolo and his entourage paid a courtesy visit to the Anglican Bishop of Nsukka Diocese, The Rt. Rev. Dr. Aloysius Eze Agbo, who congratulated him on the successful hosting of the maiden lecture, describing it as a significant achievement for the Anglican Communion.

This was contained in a statement issued on Wednesday by JAMB’s spokesperson, Fabian Benjamin.

According to the statement, the original result slips include candidates’ photographs, national ranking, and other security features required for post-UTME screening and admission processes in tertiary institutions.

“The 2026 UTME Original Result Slip will be available for printing within the next two hours today, Wednesday, 17th June, 2026,” the statement said.

It added that the document is an official requirement for post-UTME processing and admission consideration by tertiary institutions.

“The Original Result Slip contains the candidate’s photograph, national ranking, and other security features. It is part of the official document required for post-UTME processing and consideration by tertiary institutions,” it stated.

JAMB also advised candidates that the slips can be printed using any internet enabled device, including personal computers, smartphones, or accredited business centres.

“Candidates can conveniently print their Original Result Slip from any internet enabled device, whether at home, in the office, or at accredited business centres,” the board added.

Candidates were urged to carefully verify their details after printing and retain copies for use during admission processes.

The 2026 UTME examinations were conducted in April, while a mop-up exercise was held on June 13 for candidates affected by technical glitches and biometric challenges.

JAMB released the mop-up results on June 16, 2026.

According to the board, printing of original result slips was temporarily delayed to allow completion of foreign-based examinations and mop-up exercises.

Earlier, on May 19, JAMB had appealed for patience while finalising the process.

With the release of the slips, candidates are now expected to proceed with post-UTME applications for the 2026/2027 academic session as tertiary institutions begin screening exercises.

The Federal Ministry of Education described the report, titled “Suspected Cyberattack Hits FG’s Education Data Platform,” as inaccurate and misleading.

In a statement issued on Tuesday and signed by the Director of Press and Public Relations, Folasade Boriowo, the ministry clarified that at no point was the NEMIS platform breached or subjected to any cyberattack.

“The Ministry wishes to categorically state that the report is inaccurate and misleading. At no time was the NEMIS platform hacked, breached, or subjected to any cyberattack. The integrity, confidentiality, and availability of data on the platform remain fully intact,” the statement read.

The ministry explained that the temporary warning message observed by some users was due to an SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) certificate configuration issue at the hosting level, and not a security breach.

According to the statement, the technical issue affected the platform’s secure access certification but did not result in any unauthorised access, data loss, data alteration or exposure of sensitive information.

“The incident was purely technical in nature and did not involve any unauthorised access to the system, data loss, data alteration, or exposure of sensitive information,” it stated.

The ministry added that its technical team worked with the hosting service provider to quickly resolve the issue once it was identified, restoring normal services on the platform.

“Upon identification of the issue, the Ministry’s technical team, working in collaboration with the hosting service provider, promptly resolved the matter and restored normal service operations. The platform remains fully functional, secure, and accessible to all authorised users,” it said.

It further clarified that browser security warnings and SSL certificate alerts do not automatically indicate a cyberattack or data breach.

The ministry noted that such alerts may result from routine technical or configuration issues and should not be misinterpreted as evidence of malicious activity.

It also reaffirmed that NEMIS remains a critical digital platform for the collection, management and use of education data across Nigeria, supporting planning and policy decisions in the sector.

The ministry said it continues to implement strong security measures, including regular system monitoring, infrastructure safeguards and periodic security assessments to ensure data protection and system reliability.

It urged media organisations and members of the public to verify information from official sources before publication, warning against the spread of unverified claims that could cause unnecessary alarm or undermine confidence in government digital systems.