NECO Releases 2025 SSCE External Results as Over 70% Secure Five Credits Including English and Mathematics

The National Examinations Council (NECO) has announced the release of the 2025 Senior School Certificate Examination (SSCE) results for external candidates, with nationwide outcomes reflecting a strong overall performance.

The announcement was made on Tuesday in Minna, Niger State, by the Registrar and Chief Executive of NECO, Professor Dantani Wushishi, during a press briefing at the council’s headquarters.

In a video shared on NECO’s official X (formerly Twitter) handle, Professor Wushishi confirmed that candidates can now check their results online through the council’s official website using their examination registration numbers.

According to NECO, a total of 96,979 candidates registered for the 2025 SSCE External examination across 16 subjects. This figure comprised 51,823 males (53.43%) and 45,156 females (46.56%), while 95,160 candidates eventually sat for the examination.

Performance statistics revealed encouraging results in core subjects. In English Language, 73,167 candidates (78.32%) out of 93,425 who sat for the paper obtained a credit pass or higher. Mathematics recorded even stronger performance, with 85,256 candidates (91.35%) achieving credit and above out of 93,330 candidates.

Overall, 68,166 candidates, representing 71.63%, obtained five credits and above including English Language and Mathematics. When English and Mathematics were excluded, the number rose to 82,082 candidates, accounting for 86.26% of those who sat for the examination.

However, NECO raised concerns over examination malpractice. Professor Wushishi disclosed that 9,016 candidates were involved in various forms of malpractice, indicating a 31.7% increase compared to the 6,160 cases recorded in 2024.

As part of disciplinary actions, five supervisors from the Federal Capital Territory, Kano, Adamawa, and Ondo States were recommended for blacklisting. Additionally, four examination centres—two in Niger State and one each in Yobe and Kano States—were recommended for de-recognition due to whole-centre examination irregularities.

The SSCE External examination is primarily designed for private candidates, including individuals who missed the internal school examination or those seeking to improve previous results, offering an alternative pathway to secondary school certification.