NECO Releases 2025 SSCE Results, Reports 61% Decline in Exam Malpractice

The National Examinations Council (NECO) has released the results of the 2025 Senior School Certificate Examination (SSCE), with the figures showing significant improvements in candidate performance and a notable reduction in cases of malpractice. Speaking at a press briefing in Minna, Niger State, NECO Registrar and Chief Executive, Professor Dantani Ibrahim Wushishi, disclosed that a total of 1,367,310 candidates registered for the internal examination, out of which 1,358,339 eventually sat for the papers across the country. Of this number, 818,492 candidates — representing 60.26 percent — obtained five credits and above including Mathematics and English Language, while 1,144,496 candidates, translating to 84.26 percent, scored five credits and above regardless of the two core subjects. Wushishi described the performance as an encouraging sign of steady improvement in the nation’s education system, linking it to stricter monitoring, improved examination processes and the dedication of candidates and schools. One of the major highlights of the 2025 results was the dramatic drop in examination malpractice. NECO recorded 3,878 cases of malpractice, compared to 10,094 recorded in 2024 — a reduction of 61.58 percent. The registrar attributed the improvement to intensified monitoring, better collaboration with security agencies, and the introduction of tighter anti-cheating measures, including the serialisation of examination papers. Despite the progress, NECO maintained that malpractice has not been completely eliminated. Investigations revealed that 38 schools across 13 states were involved in mass cheating during the examinations. These institutions have been invited to face the council for discussions and possible sanctions. Additionally, nine supervisors drawn from Rivers, Niger, Kano, Osun, and the Federal Capital Territory have been recommended for blacklisting due to offences such as aiding malpractice, poor supervision, lateness and unprofessional behaviour. The council also emphasized its commitment to inclusivity, announcing that 1,622 candidates with special needs sat for the 2025 SSCE. These included candidates with hearing and visual impairments as well as those with other physical challenges. NECO assured that their results were processed with the required special considerations to ensure fairness. The announcement has drawn mixed reactions from stakeholders in the education sector. Parents and teachers commended the sharp decline in malpractice, saying it reflected NECO’s renewed efforts to safeguard the integrity of its examinations. Analysts, however, called for deeper reforms to address root causes, urging stronger teacher training, technological innovations, and community participation in tackling malpractice. The House of Representatives Committee on Basic Education and Examination Bodies, which monitored parts of the 2025 examination, also praised NECO’s anti-malpractice strategies. The lawmakers encouraged the council to maintain strict enforcement of its rules and to ensure that erring schools and supervisors face appropriate sanctions. Professor Wushishi reaffirmed NECO’s determination to uphold the credibility of public examinations in Nigeria, stressing that integrity in education remains central to national development. He appealed to parents, teachers, and communities to continue supporting measures aimed at discouraging practices that compromise merit. Candidates have been directed to check their results through NECO’s official online portal, using the provided access codes. The council also urged candidates who wish to make inquiries, request verifications, or seek redress over any irregularities to follow official procedures published alongside the release of the results.