The National Examinations Council (NECO) has announced that the 2025 National Common Entrance Examination (NCEE) for admission into Junior Secondary School 1 (JSS1) in federal government colleges will take place on Saturday, June 14.
This was disclosed by NECO over the weekend through an official statement. The examination is targeted at pupils in Primary 6 who are seeking admission into any of Nigeria’s 110 unity colleges spread across the country.
The NCEE is a yearly examination organized by NECO to assess pupils finishing their primary education and seeking placement into federal unity schools. The exam is one of the major assessments conducted by NECO alongside the Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) and the Senior Secondary Certificate Examination (SSCE).
According to the council, this year’s exam will be written in specially designated centres across all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory. Only candidates who have completed their primary education during the 2024/2025 academic session and fall within the age range of 10 to 13 years are eligible to participate.
NECO urged parents and guardians to ensure their children or wards are well-prepared and present at their assigned centres on the scheduled date.
“Parents and guardians are advised to take note of the examination date and ensure that their children and wards appear at their designated centres on time,” NECO said.
The Common Entrance Examination tests pupils in core subjects necessary for Junior Secondary School education. These subjects include English Language, Mathematics, General Science, Social Studies, Verbal Reasoning, and Quantitative Reasoning.
The NCEE is considered highly competitive, especially in states with high numbers of applicants. Performance in the exam is used to determine placement into unity schools, which are government-owned secondary schools that promote national integration by admitting students from all parts of the country.
Unity colleges are among the most sought-after public schools in Nigeria due to their quality teaching, relatively low fees, and reputation for discipline and academic performance.
In recent years, NECO has made efforts to digitize parts of the registration process for the Common Entrance Examination, making it easier for schools and parents to enroll candidates. Security and supervision during the exams have also been tightened to ensure fairness and transparency.
With less than a week to go, candidates across the country are making final preparations for the exam. Many schools have organized revision sessions, mock tests, and extra coaching classes to help pupils succeed.
NECO has assured the public that all arrangements are in place for a smooth and credible examination on June 14.
