BREAKING: NECO Releases 2025 External SSCE Results, Over 68,000 Candidates Pass

The National Examinations Council (NECO) has officially released the results of the 2025 External Senior School Certificate Examination (SSCE). According to reports, the Registrar of NECO, Prof. Dantani Ibrahim Wushishi, announced the results on Monday at the council’s headquarters in Minna, Niger State.

Prof. Wushishi revealed that 96,979 candidates registered for the examination across 16 subjects nationwide, with 95,160 ultimately sitting for the tests. Of these candidates, 51,823 were male, representing 53.43 percent, while 45,156 were female, accounting for 46.56 percent.

A breakdown of performance showed that 93,425 candidates sat for English Language, with 73,167 candidates, or 78.32 percent, achieving credit and above. In Mathematics, 93,330 candidates participated, and 85,256, representing 91.35 percent, secured credit and above. In total, 68,166 candidates, or 71.63 percent, obtained five credits and above, including English Language and Mathematics, while 82,082 candidates, representing 86.26 percent, achieved five credits and above regardless of performance in English and Mathematics.

Prof. Wushishi, however, expressed concern over a rise in examination malpractice. A total of 9,016 candidates were caught engaging in various forms of cheating, a 31.7 percent increase compared to the 6,160 cases recorded in the 2024 external SSCE. Five supervisors were recommended for blacklisting for their involvement in malpractice, including two from the Federal Capital Territory and one each from Kano, Adamawa, and Ondo states.

Additionally, four examination centres were recommended for de-recognition due to whole-centre malpractice. These included two centres in Niger State, and one each in Yobe and Kano states. Prof. Wushishi reiterated NECO’s commitment to maintaining the integrity of its examinations, emphasizing that the council would continue to enforce strict sanctions to deter malpractice.