The National Examinations Council (NECO) has released the 2025 Senior School Certificate Examination (SSCE) External results, recording a strong overall performance with more than eight in every ten candidates earning at least five credits.
The results were unveiled on Tuesday by NECO Registrar and Chief Executive, Professor Dantani Wushishi, at the council’s headquarters in Minna, Niger State, marking another major certification window for private candidates across the country.
Out of the 96,979 candidates who registered for the examination, 95,160 eventually sat for papers in 16 subjects. Performance data released by NECO shows particularly high success rates in the core subjects, with over 91 per cent of candidates securing credits in Mathematics and more than 78 per cent achieving the same in English Language.
According to the breakdown, 68,166 candidates—representing 71.63 per cent—obtained five credits and above including English and Mathematics, a key benchmark for tertiary admission and employment. When the two core subjects are excluded, the success rate rises to 86.26 per cent, translating to 82,082 candidates with at least five credits.
While commending the overall outcome, NECO raised concern over a spike in examination malpractice. A total of 9,016 candidates were booked for various offences, reflecting a 31.7 per cent increase from the 2024 figure.
The council also moved against compromised supervision and centres, recommending five supervisors for blacklisting and four examination centres across Niger, Yobe and Kano states for de-recognition over whole-centre malpractice.
The SSCE External examination caters mainly to private candidates—many of whom are seeking a second chance at certification or improved grades—making it a critical pathway for thousands of Nigerians outside the conventional school system.
Strong Pass Rate as NECO Releases 2025 SSCE External Results
