The National Examinations Council (NECO) has announced the release of the 2025 Senior School Certificate Examination (SSCE) internal results, revealing that 60.26 percent of candidates achieved at least five credits, including mathematics and English. Kano, Lagos, and Oyo states emerged as the top performers.

The registrar and chief executive officer of NECO, Professor Ibrahim Wushishi, disclosed the results in Minna, Niger State. He stated that out of the 1,358,339 candidates who sat for the June/July examinations, 818,492 (60.26 percent) secured five credits and above, including English and mathematics. He further explained that 1,144,496 candidates, representing 84.26 percent, scored five credits and above irrespective of English and mathematics.

Wushishi emphasized that the council released the results just 54 days after the last paper was written.

Breaking down the statistics, he said:

“The number of candidates that registered for the examination is 1,367,210, representing 685,514 males and 681,696 females. The number of candidates that sat is 1,358,339, representing 680,292 males and 678,047 females. The number of candidates with five credits and above, including mathematics and English, is 818,492, representing 60.26 percent. The number of candidates with five credits and above, irrespective of mathematics and English, is 1,144,496, representing 84.26 percent.”

He noted that the 2025 SSCE was conducted between June 16 and July 25.

On candidates with special needs, Wushishi explained that 1,622 candidates registered, including 586 males and 355 females with hearing impairments, as well as 111 males and 80 females with visual impairments.

The registrar also reported a sharp decline in examination malpractice:

“In the 2025 SSCE internal, the number of candidates involved in unethical practices was 3,878, as against 10,094 in 2024, indicating a reduction of 61.58 percent.”

He revealed that 38 schools across 13 states were identified for mass cheating and would face sanctions:

“During the conduct of the 2025 Senior School Certificate Examination (SSCE), 38 schools were found to have been involved in whole-school (mass) cheating in 13 states. They will be invited to the Council for discussion, after which appropriate sanctions will be applied.”

On disciplinary measures, Wushishi stated:

“Similarly, nine supervisors—three in Rivers, one in Niger, three in FCT, one in Kano, and one in Osun states—were recommended for blacklisting due to poor supervision, aiding and abetting, lateness, unruly behavior, assault, and insubordination.”

He also addressed disruptions in Adamawa State:

“I wish to also draw your attention to a case in Lamorde Local Government, Adamawa State, involving eight schools which were affected by a communal clash, resulting in the disruption of our examinations from 7th to 25th July 2025. A total of 13 subjects and 29 papers were involved. We have since commenced talks with the state government with a view to conducting the examinations for the affected schools.