27,000 Candidates Fail as NECO Releases 2025 External SSCE Results
No fewer than 26,994 candidates failed to obtain the minimum five credits including English Language and Mathematics in the 2025 External Senior School Certificate Examination (SSCE) conducted by the National Examinations Council (NECO).
The results were released on Tuesday in Minna, Niger State, 52 days after the conclusion of the examination.
Speaking at the release, NECO Registrar, Prof. Ibrahim Dantani Wushishi, disclosed that *95,160 candidates eventually sat for the examination out of the 96,979 who registered.
According to the Registrar, while 68,166 candidates (71.63 per cent) achieved the required five credits including English and Mathematics, 26,994 candidates (28.37 per cent) failed to meet the benchmark required for admission into tertiary institutions.
A subject-by-subject analysis showed that 93,425 candidates sat for English Language, with 73,167 candidates (78.32 per cent) obtaining credit passes and above.
In Mathematics, 93,330 candidates sat for the examination, out of which 85,256 candidates (91.35 per cent) recorded credit passes.
Despite the relatively strong performance in core subjects, the overall failure rate highlights persistent challenges in candidates’ ability to secure the required combination of credits.
On examination malpractice, Prof. Wushishi revealed that 9,016 candidates were booked for various offences, representing a 31.7 per cent increase from the 6,160 cases recorded in 2024.
He also announced the blacklisting of five supervisors and the recommendation of four examination centres for derecognition due to their involvement in mass malpractice.
The 2025 SSCE External examination was conducted between November 26 and December 13, 2025, while marking took place from January 5 to January 21, 2026.
Prof. Wushishi noted that the SSCE External examination remains a vital pathway for candidates seeking to improve their academic qualifications for admission into tertiary institutions in Nigeria and abroad. He added that the council remains committed to maintaining credible assessments and reliable certification.
Candidates are advised to check their results via NECO’s official website using their examination registration numbers.
