NECO Releases 2025 SSCE Results, Records 60% Pass Rate in English and Mathematics
The National Examinations Council (NECO) has released the 2025 Senior School Certificate Examination (SSCE internal) results, 54 days after the conclusion of the last paper.
Announcing the results at a press conference in Minna, Niger State, NECO Registrar, Prof. Ibrahim Wushishi, revealed that 818,492 candidates, representing 60.26% of those who sat for the exam, obtained five credits and above, including English and Mathematics.
In total, 1,358,339 candidates sat for the June/July examination, out of 1,367,210 registered. A further breakdown showed that 1,144,496 candidates (84.26%) scored five credits and above, irrespective of English and Mathematics.
Special Needs and Malpractice Cases
Prof. Wushishi also highlighted that 1,622 candidates with special needs participated in the examination, including those with hearing and visual impairments.
On malpractice, the registrar disclosed that 3,878 cases were recorded in 2025, a sharp decline from 10,094 in 2024, a reduction of over 61%. Despite the progress, 38 schools in 13 states were flagged for mass cheating, and nine supervisors across Rivers, Niger, FCT, Kano, and Osun were recommended for blacklisting due to misconduct.
In Adamawa State, communal clashes in Lamorde Local Government disrupted exams for eight schools, affecting 13 subjects and 29 papers. NECO is engaging with the state government to ensure the affected students are not left behind.
Performance by States
Kano emerged top with 68,159 candidates (5.02%) passing with five credits, including English and Mathematics, followed by Lagos with 67,007 (4.93%), and Oyo with 48,742 candidates.
At the bottom of the performance chart was Gabon centre, where no candidate achieved the five-credit benchmark, including English and Mathematics.
Reform and Transition
In line with the ongoing curriculum review, NECO announced it will now conduct the SSCE on 38 subjects, streamlining the process and reducing waiting time for results.
The council also reaffirmed its transition plan from the traditional paper-and-pencil test model to a computer-based test system, with several schools already participating in the pilot phase.
The release of the SSCE results reflects progress toward fulfilling every child’s right to education. Every child has the right to access quality education based on equal opportunity.
By reducing malpractice, supporting learners with special needs, and modernizing exam systems, NECO is contributing to this right, ensuring that no child is left behind in their pursuit of knowledge.
