Kano State has been ranked as the top-performing state in the 2025 National Examinations Council (NECO) Senior School Certificate Examination (SSCE) for internal candidates, a milestone achievement that highlights the state’s educational progress.
The announcement came on Wednesday from NECO Registrar, Prof. Ibrahim Wushishi, during a press briefing in Minna, Niger State.
According to the released results, Kano led the country with 68,159 candidates, representing 5.02% of the national total, securing five credits or more, including English and Mathematics. This outstanding performance placed the state firmly at the top of the 2025 NECO SSCE performance chart.
The achievement has been attributed to the broad educational reforms and substantial investments made by Governor Abba Yusuf’s administration, which have focused on strengthening both teaching quality and student support systems.
Prof. Wushishi further disclosed that 1,358,339 candidates registered for the June/July 2025 NECO examinations. Out of this figure, 818,492 candidates, representing 60.26%, obtained five credits including Mathematics and English, while 1,144,496 candidates—84.26%—passed with at least five credits in any subject.
Kano’s success stood out nationally, surpassing Lagos and Oyo States. Lagos recorded 67,007 successful candidates, placing second, while Oyo followed with 48,742 candidates in third place.
In response to the results, Governor Yusuf, through his spokesperson, Sunusi Bature Dawakin Tofa, celebrated the state’s performance, describing it as a product of dedication and forward-thinking leadership.
“I am elated by this outstanding performance. It is a testament to the fact that when we prioritize education, invest in our teachers, and ensure access to quality learning, the results speak for themselves,” Yusuf stated. “This success belongs to every teacher, student, and parent who has supported our reforms.”
Dr. Amina Lawal, a Kano-based education analyst, also praised the outcome, noting that it reflects the importance of sustained investment in human capital. “Kano’s success in the NECO exams is a clear demonstration of the power of visionary leadership and sustained investment in education. The state has set a new benchmark for other regions to follow,” she said.
What you should know
Kano State topped the 2025 NECO SSCE results with 68,159 candidates passing with five credits, including English and Mathematics.
The achievement, credited to Governor Abba Yusuf’s reforms, placed the state ahead of Lagos and Oyo. NECO reported that 1.35 million students sat for the exams, with over 818,000 meeting the minimum benchmark.
