Zamfara State, with a population of 3,259,846 has enrolled only 28 students for the 2018 national common entrance.
Kebbi State, with a population of 3,238,628 has 50 candidates while Taraba State with a total population of 2,300,736 registers 95 children.
The minister of education, Mr. Adamu Adamu disclosed this in Abuja in a press statement issued by the spokesperson for the ministry of education Mrs. Priscillia Ihuoma.
Adamu who expressed worry about the low number of candidates seeking admission into the 104 federal government colleges across the country pleaded with state governments, heads of schools and interest groups to persuade school-age children in the areas with low registration to register for the examination
He said a directive had been given to leave the portal open for registration until April 13.
The statement reads: “Ahead of the 2018 National Common Entrance Examination for admission of candidates into the 104 Federal Government colleges on Saturday, April 14, the minister has expressed worry over low registration for the examination so far.
“According to him, the report of a meeting of major stakeholders in the education sector said candidates registered in 2018 stood at 71,294 as against 80,421 that wrote the examination in 2017.
“The report further shows three states with the highest number of pupils registered so far are: Lagos with 24,465 candidates, the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, with 7,699 and Rivers State with 4,810 candidates respectively. On the other hand, three states with extreme low registration are: Zamfara with only 28 candidates, Kebbi, 50 and Taraba, 95 candidates respectively.”
The minister said the examination would go on as planned and urged state governments, parents, heads of schools and relevant interest groups in the areas with low student enrollment to take steps to remedy the situation.