Strong Performance but Rising Malpractice as NECO Unveils 2025 External SSCE Results
The National Examinations Council (NECO) has released the results of the 2025 Senior School Certificate Examination (SSCE) for external candidates, with 71.63 per cent achieving five credits and above, including English Language and Mathematics.
Announcing the results on Tuesday, the Registrar and Chief Executive of NECO, Prof. Danlami Wushishi, disclosed that 96,979 candidates registered for the examination nationwide.
Of this figure, 51,823 candidates, representing 53.43 per cent, were male, while 45,156, representing 46.56 per cent, were female.
According to him, 95,160 candidates eventually sat the examination, comprising 50,785 males (53.36 per cent) and 44,375 females (46.63 per cent).
Prof. Wushishi stated that 93,425 candidates sat for English Language, of whom 73,167, representing 78.32 per cent, obtained credit passes and above. He added that 93,330 candidates sat for Mathematics, with 85,256, representing 91.35 per cent, securing credit passes and above.
Overall, 68,166 candidates, representing 71.63 per cent, obtained five credits and above, including English Language and Mathematics. Additionally, 82,082 candidates, representing 86.26 per cent, recorded five credits and above irrespective of the two core subjects.
On examination malpractice, the NECO Registrar disclosed that 9,016 candidates were booked for various offences, compared with 6,160 cases recorded in 2024, indicating an increase of 31.7 per cent.
He further announced that some supervisors and centres had been sanctioned for their involvement in malpractice. Two supervisors from the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), and one each from Kano and Lagos states, were recommended for appropriate disciplinary action.
Furthermore, four examination centres — two in Niger State, and one each in Yobe and Lagos states — were found culpable of whole-centre malpractice and have been recommended for de-recognition.
Prof. Wushishi reaffirmed the Council’s commitment to preserving the integrity and credibility of its examinations, warning stakeholders against practices that undermine the assessment process.
