By Dan Zendesha 

A private secondary school in Makurdi, Benue State, has achieved a notable milestone in the 2026 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME), producing 14 students with scores above 300. The result comes amid reports of generally low high-score rates nationwide.

New Covenant Christian College International has recorded a strong academic performance in the 2026 UTME, with 14 of its students attaining scores above 300.

The development was disclosed by the school’s proprietor, Rev. Thomas Shikaan, who described the outcome as a reflection of sustained academic discipline and structured learning.

According to him, the achievement follows months of intensive preparation, coordinated teaching methods, and close academic monitoring of students. He commended the candidates for their dedication and consistency throughout the examination period.

Shikaan also acknowledged the role of the school’s teaching staff, noting that their commitment and instructional approach contributed significantly to the results. He further appreciated parents and guardians for their continued support, which he said remains vital to student success.

While official nationwide performance data is still being fully analysed, early reports indicate that only a relatively small proportion of candidates reached the 300 mark in the 2026 UTME, placing the school’s outcome among the more notable results recorded.

The institution stated that it remains focused on delivering quality education aimed at producing students who are academically competent and grounded in strong values.