NECO Releases 2025 SSCE External Results, Highlights Rising Malpractice
Official Release of 2025 External SSCE Results
THE National Examinations Council (NECO) has released the results of the 2025 Senior Secondary School Certificate Examination (SSCE) External, revealing strong overall performance among candidates alongside a troubling rise in examination malpractice.
The announcement was made by the Registrar and Chief Executive of NECO, Professor Dantani Ibrahim Wushishi, during the official unveiling of the results at the council’s headquarters in Minna on Tuesday 3 February 2026.
Registration, Participation, and Outcomes
Professor Wushishi disclosed that 96,979 candidates registered for the 2025 SSCE External, while 95,160 candidates eventually participated in the examination.
Analysis of the results showed that 82,082 candidates—representing 86.26 per cent—secured five credits and above, regardless of English Language and Mathematics. The Registrar noted that this performance level remains encouraging for candidates seeking admission into tertiary institutions or career advancement.
Focusing on English Language performance, Wushishi said 93,425 candidates sat for the subject, with 73,167 candidates, or 78.42 per cent, achieving credit passes and above.
Timely Release of Results
The Registrar noted that the examination was conducted between 26 November and 13 December 2025, and that the results were released within 52 days of the final paper. He described this as part of NECO’s efforts to improve efficiency and reduce waiting periods for candidates.
Increase in Examination Malpractice
Despite the generally positive academic outcomes, NECO expressed concern over a significant increase in examination malpractice cases. Professor Wushishi revealed that 9,016 candidates were booked for various infractions during the 2025 exercise, compared to 6,160 candidates in 2024, representing a 31.7 per cent increase.
As part of disciplinary actions, NECO recommended the blacklisting of five supervisors found to have aided and abetted malpractice. The affected supervisors were from the Federal Capital Territory, Kano, Adamawa, and Ondo states.
Sanctions on Examination Centres
The council also recommended the de-recognition of four centres implicated in whole-centre malpractice. These centres were located in Niger, Yobe, and Kano states.
Safeguarding Examination Standards
Professor Wushishi reiterated NECO’s commitment to maintaining the integrity and credibility of its examinations, warning that the council would continue to enforce strict sanctions against individuals and centres involved in malpractice.
He urged candidates, supervisors, and school administrators to uphold ethical standards to protect the value of the SSCE certificate and Nigeria’s education system.
