The National Examinations Council (NECO), has officially released the results of the 2025 Senior School Certificate Examination (SSCE) External, posting a robust outcome in which more than 80 per cent of candidates earned five credits and above.
The release was announced on Tuesday by the Registrar and Chief Executive of NECO, Professor Dantani Wushishi, at a press conference held at the council’s headquarters in Minna, Niger State, and subsequently reinforced in a video statement shared on NECO’s official X handle.
“It is my pleasure to declare the 2025 SSCE External Results released,” Prof. Wushishi said.
He added that candidates can access their results on NECO’s official website, www.neco.gov.ng, using their examination registration numbers.
Candidate Statistics and Subject Performance
According to the registrar, the 2025 SSCE External examination covered 16 subjects, with a total of 96,979 candidates registered. This figure comprised 51,823 males (53.43 per cent), and 45,156 females (46.56 per cent).
Out of the total registered candidates, 95,160 candidates eventually sat for the examination.
A breakdown of performance in core subjects showed encouraging results. In English Language, 93,425 candidates sat for the examination, out of which 73,167 candidates, representing 78.32 per cent, obtained credit and above.
For Mathematics, 93,330 candidates sat for the paper, with 85,256 candidates, or 91.35 per cent, achieving credit and above.
Overall Performance
NECO disclosed that 68,166 candidates, representing 71.63 per cent, obtained five credits and above including English Language and Mathematics.
In addition, 82,082 candidates, or 86.26 per cent, recorded five credits and above irrespective of English Language and Mathematics, reinforcing the council’s declaration that over 80 per cent of candidates met the five-credit benchmark.
Examination Malpractice and Sanctions
Despite the impressive performance, NECO raised concerns over examination malpractice. Prof. Wushishi revealed that 9,016 candidates were booked for various forms of misconduct during the examination. This figure represents a 31.7 per cent increase compared to the 6,160 cases recorded in 2024.
As part of disciplinary measures, the council recommended five supervisors for blacklisting for aiding and abetting malpractice. The affected supervisors include two from the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), and one each from Kano, Adamawa, and Ondo States.
Furthermore, four examination centres were recommended for de-recognition after being found culpable of whole-centre malpractice. Two of the centres are located in Niger State, while the remaining two are in Yobe and Kano States.
Importance of the SSCE External Examination
The SSCE External examination is primarily designed for private candidates seeking secondary school certification outside the regular school system. NECO conducts the examination to provide opportunities for candidates who missed the internal SSCE or those who wish to improve their grades for tertiary education, employment, or other academic requirements.
NECO reaffirmed its commitment to upholding the integrity of its examinations while continuing to expand access to credible certification for candidates nationwide.
