The National Examinations Council (NECO) has reported a 31 percent increase in cases of examination malpractice in the 2025 External Senior School Certificate Examination (SSCE).
In results released 52 days after the last paper, over 9,000 candidates were caught, compared with just over 6,000 during the 2024 examination.
The NECO Registrar, Professor Dantani Ibrahim Wushishi, announced the 2025 External SSCE results at the Council’s headquarters in Minna.
He said the rise in malpractice cases should not be seen as a failure but rather as an indication of the effectiveness of the improved technology introduced to curb the menace.
Professor Wushishi revealed that about 97,000 candidates registered for the examination, but 95,000 sat for it, with 53 percent male and 46 percent female candidates.
According to the Registrar, over 68,000 candidates, representing 71 percent, scored five credits or more, including English Language and Mathematics.
Additionally, more than 82,000 candidates, or 86 percent, obtained five credits or more irrespective of English and Mathematics.
Meanwhile, Professor Wushishi noted that five supervisors, two from the FCT and one each from Kano, Adamawa, and Ondo states, have been recommended for blacklisting for aiding and abetting malpractice.
He also stated that four centres, two from Niger and one each from Yobe and Kano, have been recommended for de-recognition due to involvement in whole-centre malpractice.
The Registrar attributed the Council’s successes to the support of President Bola Tinubu and other stakeholders, and commended NECO staff for their dedication and commitment to duty.
RN
