NECO Releases 2025 SSCE External Results, Over 80% Score Five Credits

The National Examinations Council (NECO) has officially released the results of the 2025 Senior School Certificate Examination (SSCE) for external candidates, revealing a strong performance nationwide as more than 80 per cent of candidates earned at least five credits.

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

In a video shared on NECO’s official X (formerly Twitter) account, Professor Wushishi confirmed the release and encouraged candidates to check their results online using their examination registration numbers via the council’s official website.

According to him, a total of 96,979 candidates registered for the examination across 16 subjects, made up of 51,823 males (53.43 per cent) and 45,156 females (46.56 per cent). Out of this figure, 95,160 candidates eventually sat for the examination.

Performance data showed strong outcomes in core subjects. In English Language, 93,425 candidates participated, with 73,167 candidates (78.32 per cent) securing a credit or higher. Mathematics recorded even stronger results, as 85,256 out of 93,330 candidates (91.35 per cent) achieved credit and above.

Overall, NECO reported that 68,166 candidates, representing 71.63 per cent, obtained five credits and above including English Language and Mathematics. When English and Mathematics were excluded, the figure rose to 82,082 candidates, accounting for 86.26 per cent.

However, the council also raised concerns over examination malpractice. Professor Wushishi disclosed that 9,016 candidates were involved in various forms of misconduct, marking a 31.7 per cent increase compared to the 6,160 cases recorded in 2024.

As part of disciplinary measures, five supervisors from the Federal Capital Territory, Kano, Adamawa and Ondo states were recommended for blacklisting for their alleged involvement in malpractice. In addition, four examination centres two in Niger State and one each in Yobe and Kano were recommended for de-recognition due to whole-centre examination irregularities.

The SSCE External examination is designed mainly for private candidates who either missed the internal school examination or are seeking to improve their previous results, providing an alternative pathway to academic certification.