The National Examinations Council (NECO) has officially announced the release of the 2025 External Senior School Certificate Examination (SSCE) results.
The Registrar of the council, Prof. Dantani Ibrahim Wushishi, made the announcement on Monday at NECO’s headquarters in Minna, Niger State.
According to Wushishi, a total of 96,979 candidates registered for the examination across 16 subjects nationwide, while 95,160 candidates eventually participated.
He disclosed that the registered candidates included 51,823 males, representing 53.43 per cent, and 45,156 females, accounting for 46.56 per cent.
Giving details of the performance, the Registrar revealed that 93,425 candidates sat for English Language, with 73,167 candidates—representing 78.32 per cent—obtaining credit passes and above.
In Mathematics, 93,330 candidates participated, out of which 85,256 candidates, representing 91.35 per cent, achieved credit and above.
Overall, Wushishi stated that 68,166 candidates, representing 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, recorded five credits and above regardless of English and Mathematics.
However, the Registrar expressed concern over a rise in examination malpractice during the exercise. He disclosed that 9,016 candidates were booked for various offences, marking a 31.7 per cent increase compared to the 6,160 cases recorded in the 2024 external SSCE.
He further announced that five supervisors had been recommended for blacklisting for their involvement in aiding examination malpractice. The supervisors include two from the Federal Capital Territory and one each from Kano, Adamawa, and Ondo states.
In addition, four examination centres were recommended for de-recognition after being found guilty of whole-centre malpractice. Two of the centres are located in Niger State, while one each is in Yobe and Kano states.
Wushishi reaffirmed NECO’s commitment to maintaining the integrity of its examinations and warned that the council would continue to enforce strict sanctions to curb malpractice.