The National Examinations Council (NECO) has released the results of the 2025 Senior School Certificate Examination (SSCE) for external candidates, with more than 80 per cent of candidates recording at least five credit passes.
The results were officially announced 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.
Professor Wushishi said the performance of candidates in the 2025 SSCE External examination showed a strong improvement in key subjects, especially English Language and Mathematics, which are required for admission into higher institutions in Nigeria.
The announcement was also shared through a video posted on NECO’s official X account, where candidates were advised to check their results online using their registration numbers on the council’s website.
According to NECO, a total of 96,979 candidates registered for the 2025 SSCE External examination across 16 subjects.
Out of this number, 51,823 candidates were male, representing 53.43 per cent, while 45,156 candidates were female, accounting for 46.56 per cent of total registration.
Professor Wushishi disclosed that 95,160 candidates eventually sat for the examination, showing a high turnout rate.
He explained that the SSCE External examination is mainly designed for private candidates. These include people who could not sit for the internal school-based SSCE, those who are no longer in secondary school, and candidates who want to improve their previous results.
The external examination provides an important second chance for many Nigerians seeking academic qualifications for employment, further education, or personal development.
NECO released detailed performance data showing how candidates fared in core subjects.
In English Language, 93,425 candidates sat for the examination. Out of this figure, 73,167 candidates, representing 78.32 per cent, obtained a credit or higher.
Mathematics recorded an even stronger performance. A total of 93,330 candidates sat for Mathematics, and 85,256 of them, representing 91.35 per cent, scored credit and above.
Education stakeholders have often expressed concern about poor performance in English and Mathematics in public examinations. However, the 2025 SSCE External results suggest a positive trend, especially in Mathematics.
Professor Wushishi said that overall performance was encouraging.
According to him, 68,166 candidates, representing 71.63 per cent, obtained five credits and above, including English Language and Mathematics.
When English Language and Mathematics were excluded, the number increased significantly. A total of 82,082 candidates, representing 86.26 per cent, achieved five credits and above without considering the two core subjects.
This outcome means that many candidates passed well in other subjects such as Biology, Economics, Government, Agricultural Science, and Literature-in-English.
NECO described the performance as a sign that many candidates took the examination seriously and prepared adequately.
The SSCE External examination plays a key role in Nigeria’s education system.
Unlike the internal SSCE, which is written by final-year secondary school students, the external version is open to private candidates.
Many candidates use the external examination to meet admission requirements for universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education. Others need the results for job applications or promotions.
Over the years, the number of candidates registering for the SSCE External has continued to grow, reflecting the demand for flexible education opportunities.
Despite the strong performance, NECO raised serious concerns over examination malpractice.
Professor Wushishi revealed that 9,016 candidates were involved in various forms of examination misconduct during the 2025 SSCE External.
He said this figure represents a 31.7 per cent increase when compared to the 6,160 malpractice cases recorded during the 2024 examination.
The reported cases include cheating, impersonation, use of mobile phones in the examination hall, and collusion with supervisors.
NECO expressed concern over the rise in malpractice, warning that such actions undermine the credibility of examinations and the value of certificates.
As part of its response, NECO announced disciplinary measures against some officials and centres found to be involved in malpractice.
Professor Wushishi disclosed that five supervisors were recommended for blacklisting due to their alleged roles in examination misconduct.
The affected supervisors were from the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Kano State, Adamawa State, and Ondo State.
In addition, four examination centres were recommended for de-recognition. These include two centres in Niger State, one in Yobe State, and one in Kano State.
According to NECO, these centres were involved in whole-centre malpractice, where irregularities affected large numbers of candidates.
De-recognition means that such centres will no longer be allowed to serve as NECO examination centres for a specified period.
The NECO Registrar warned candidates, supervisors, and school owners against engaging in examination malpractice.
He said the council would continue to improve its monitoring systems and work with security agencies to reduce cheating.
Professor Wushishi also appealed to parents and guardians to discourage their children from cutting corners and to support honest study habits.
He stressed that certificates obtained through malpractice do not reflect true knowledge and can damage a candidate’s future.
NECO advised candidates to check their results online through the council’s official website.
Candidates are required to use their examination registration numbers and follow the instructions provided on the portal.
The council also urged candidates to be careful and avoid fraudulent websites or individuals claiming to assist with result checking.
NECO was established in 1999 to conduct examinations and award certificates comparable to those of the West African Examinations Council (WAEC).
The council conducts the SSCE Internal, SSCE External, National Common Entrance Examination, and other assessments.
Over the years, NECO has expanded its operations and introduced digital systems to improve efficiency and transparency.