Education Minister, Mallam Adamu Adamu, has expressed worry over low registration of candidates for the 2018 National Common Entrance Examination for admission into the 104 Federal Government Colleges (FGCs).
National Examinations Council (NECO), the body empowered to conduct the examination, had scheduled Saturday, April 14 for the nationwide examination.
Consequently, the minister has directed that registration portal should remain open till April 13, 2018 to enable more eligible candidates register for the examination.
A statement by the Director Press and Public Relations, Mrs. C.P. Ihuoma, said the minister underscored the importance to boost federal government’s drive to guarantee access and equity in educational development, hence the extension of the registration date.
According to the minister, the report of a meeting of major stakeholders in the education sector indicated that as at March 03, 2018, total number of candidates registered stood at 71, 294 as against 80,421 that wrote the examination in 2017.
The report further showed three states with highest registrations so far as Lagos with 24,465 candidates, Federal Capital Territory- Abuja 7,699 and River with 4,810 candidates.
On the other hand, three states with extreme low registration are: Zamfara with only 28 candidates, Kebbi 50 and Taraba 95 candidates.
Adamu reaffirmed the determination of the ministry to hold the examination as planned and enjoined state governments, parents, heads of schools and relevant interest groups, particularly those areas with low registration to take steps to remedy the situation.
