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The National Examinations Council (NECO) has released the 2025 Senior School Certificate Examination (SSCE) External results, showing a strong performance by candidates, with a large majority securing the credits required for higher education and employment.
According to the examination body, more than four in five candidates achieved at least five credits, underscoring what officials described as steady improvement in outcomes for private candidates across the country.
Announcing the release, NECO Registrar and Chief Executive, Prof. Dantani Wushishi, said the council had concluded all post-examination processes before making the results public.
“This outcome reflects the commitment of many candidates who used the external examination as a second chance to reposition their academic future,” Wushishi said.
Data provided by NECO showed that 96,979 candidates registered for the 2025 SSCE External, with 95,160 eventually sitting for the examination across the country.
The gender distribution indicated a slightly higher number of male candidates, with over 51,000 males participating, while female candidates accounted for more than 45,000 of those who registered.
Performance figures revealed particularly strong results in core subjects.
In English Language, a clear majority of candidates earned credit-level passes, while Mathematics recorded an even higher success rate, with more than nine out of ten candidates meeting the credit benchmark.
Overall, more than 68,000 candidates obtained five credits including English Language and Mathematics, while over 82,000 achieved five credits and above regardless of the two compulsory subjects.
Wushishi noted that candidates could check their results online using their examination registration details, adding that the council had ensured seamless access through its official portal.
However, the registrar also raised concerns about examination malpractice, revealing a notable increase in reported cases compared to the previous year.
“While we celebrate academic success, the rise in malpractice is troubling and unacceptable,” he said, stressing that NECO would continue to strengthen its monitoring and enforcement mechanisms.
The council disclosed that thousands of candidates were sanctioned for various infractions, while several supervisors were recommended for blacklisting over alleged collusion during the examination.
In addition, NECO said some examination centres were flagged for large-scale irregularities and have been recommended for de-recognition to preserve the integrity of future examinations.
The SSCE External is designed mainly for private candidates who are outside the conventional school system or those seeking to improve earlier results, offering an alternative pathway to certification.
NECO conducts the examination annually to widen access to secondary school certification and support candidates pursuing further education or career advancement.