The National Examinations Council has officially published the results of the 2025 Senior School Certificate Examination for external candidates, revealing that a significant majority met the benchmark of five credits and above, including English Language and Mathematics.
Speaking on Tuesday, NECO’s Registrar and Chief Executive, Danlami Wushishi, disclosed that 96,979 candidates registered for the examination across the country. He explained that the registered candidates consisted of 51,823 males, accounting for 53.43 per cent, while 45,156 females made up 46.56 per cent of the total.
Out of those who registered, 95,160 candidates eventually sat for the examination nationwide. This figure included 50,785 male candidates, representing 53.36 per cent, and 44,375 female candidates, representing 46.63 percent.
Wushishi further revealed that 93,425 candidates took the English Language paper, with 73,167 of them, equivalent to 78.32 per cent, earning credit passes and above. In Mathematics, 93,330 candidates participated, and 85,256 candidates, or 91.35 percent, achieved credit passes and above.
According to the NECO Registrar, a total of 68,166 candidates, representing 71.63 per cent, successfully obtained five credits and above, including both English Language and Mathematics. He added that 82,082 candidates, amounting to 86.26 percent, recorded five credits and above regardless of whether English Language and Mathematics were included.
Addressing the issue of examination malpractice, Wushishi disclosed that 9,016 candidates were booked for various offences during the examination. This figure marks an increase when compared to the 6,160 cases recorded in 2024, reflecting a rise of 31.7 per cent.
He also announced that disciplinary actions had been taken against supervisors and examination centres implicated in malpractice. According to him, 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 were found guilty of whole-centre malpractice. These centres include two located in Niger State, with one each in Yobe and Lagos States, and have been recommended for de-recognition.
Wushishi reaffirmed NECO’s commitment to upholding the integrity and credibility of its examinations, while warning candidates, supervisors, and other stakeholders against engaging in activities that could compromise the examination process.
What you should know
The release of the 2025 NECO external SSCE results shows a strong overall performance among candidates, particularly in Mathematics and English Language, which are critical for tertiary education admission in Nigeria.
However, the sharp rise in examination malpractice cases highlights ongoing challenges facing public examinations.
NECO’s sanctions against supervisors and centres underline its resolve to protect the credibility of its assessments and deter future misconduct across the examination system.
