The National Examinations Council has announced the release of the 2025 Senior School Certificate Examination for external candidates, with over 86 percent of candidates securing five credits and above.
The Registrar and Chief Executive of NECO, Professor Dantani Wushishi, declared the results on Tuesday during a press conference at the council’s headquarters in Minna, Niger State.
A total of 95,160 candidates sat for the examination out of 96,979 registered. The registrar reported that 82,082 candidates, representing 86.26 percent, obtained five credits and above irrespective of English Language and Mathematics. Furthermore, 68,166 candidates, or 71.63 percent, achieved five credits and above including both English and Mathematics.
A detailed breakdown shows that in English Language, 73,167 out of 93,425 candidates, representing 78.32 percent, scored credit and above. In Mathematics, 85,256 out of 93,330 candidates, representing 91.35 percent, obtained credit and above.
However, the examination was marred by a significant increase in malpractice cases. Professor Wushishi disclosed that 9,016 candidates were booked for various forms of examination misconduct. This figure represents a 31.7 percent increase from the 6,160 cases recorded in 2024.
As part of the sanctions, five supervisors were recommended for blacklisting for aiding and abetting malpractice. They include two from the Federal Capital Territory and one each from Kano, Adamawa, and Ondo States.
Additionally, four examination centers were recommended for derecognition after being found involved in whole centre malpractice. Two of the centers are in Niger State, with one each in Yobe and Kano States.
The SSCE External examination is designed primarily for private candidates seeking certification outside the regular school system. NECO conducts it to provide opportunities for those who missed the internal version or wish to improve their grades.
