The National Examinations Council (NECO) has officially released the results of the 2025 Senior School Certificate Examination (SSCE) for external candidates, revealing that 71.63 per cent of candidates achieved a minimum of five credit passes, including English Language and Mathematics.
Speaking at a briefing on Tuesday, NECO’s Registrar and Chief Executive, Professor Danlami Wushishi, said a total of 96,979 candidates registered for the nationwide examination. Of this figure, 51,823 candidates (53.43 per cent) were male, while 45,156 candidates (46.56 per cent) were female.
According to Wushishi, 95,160 candidates eventually participated in the examination, made up of 50,785 males (53.36 per cent) and 44,375 females (46.63 per cent).
He disclosed that 93,425 candidates sat for the English Language paper, with 73,167 of them, representing 78.32 per cent, obtaining credit passes and above. In Mathematics, 93,330 candidates took the examination, out of which 85,256 candidates—equivalent to 91.35 per cent—earned credit passes and above.
Overall, the NECO Registrar stated that 68,166 candidates, accounting for 71.63 per cent, secured five credits and above including English Language and Mathematics. He added that 82,082 candidates, representing 86.26 per cent, obtained five credits and above regardless of English Language and Mathematics.
On the issue of examination malpractice, Wushishi reported that 9,016 candidates were booked for various infractions during the examination, an increase from the 6,160 cases recorded in 2024. This, he noted, represents a rise of 31.7 per cent in malpractice cases.
He further revealed that NECO has taken disciplinary measures against erring officials and centres. Two supervisors from the Federal Capital Territory, as well as one supervisor each from Kano and Lagos States, were recommended for appropriate sanctions. In addition, four examination centres—two in Niger State and one each in Yobe and Lagos States—were found guilty of whole-centre malpractice and have been recommended for de-recognition.
Reaffirming NECO’s commitment to upholding the integrity of its examinations, Wushishi warned candidates, supervisors, and other stakeholders against actions that could compromise the credibility of the examination process.
