NECO Opens 2025 SSCE External Registration Nationwide, Sets September Deadline

The National Examinations Council (NECO) has officially announced the commencement of registration for the 2025 Senior School Certificate Examination (SSCE) External. This exam is designed for private candidates who are not enrolled in the regular school system.

In a statement signed by Professor Dantani Ibrahim Wushishi, NECO’s Registrar and Chief Executive, registration began on July 7, 2025, and will close on September 18, 2025.

Who Is Eligible?

Only candidates who have sat for the SSCE Internal examination within the last five years are eligible to register for the external version.

To register, candidates must possess a National Identification Number (NIN), which will be linked to their biometric information. Biometric fingerprints will be collected offline during registration and verified again at the exam venue to curb impersonation. NECO has warned that anyone with mismatched biometric data will be treated as an impersonator and prosecuted accordingly.

How to Register

All registrations must be completed online via NECO’s official portal, www.neco.gov.ng, at approved cybercafés or NECO offices. The registration fee is ₦40,000, covering essential materials such as a four-figure mathematical table, a waterproof certificate jacket, and service charges.

Payments should be made through the NECO portal using approved channels like POS, ATM cards, or Remita. Candidates who fail to register before the deadline will be required to pay an extra ₦10,000 as a late fee from September 19, 2025.

Exam Dates and Requirements

The SSCE External exams will run from Wednesday, September 29, to Friday, December 19, 2025. Candidates must print their photo card, which will serve as their entry permit to the exam hall. The photo card must be signed and stamped by an ordained clergyman, a senior civil servant, or another recognized authority.

NECO has also introduced a Computer-Based Test (CBT) option for candidates who prefer it. Candidates with special needs must inform NECO of any specific requirements during registration.

Exam Centres and Rules

Applicants must select an exam centre close to their residence, subject to availability. Once chosen, the exam centre cannot be changed. NECO has cautioned against multiple registrations, warning that doing so will result in the complete cancellation of results.

Candidates are required to arrive at the exam venue at least one hour before the start of each paper. Only one correction to personal details—such as names, sex, date of birth, subjects, or examination number—will be allowed before the exams begin. No changes will be accepted once the examination starts.

Subjects Offered

NECO has released the list of subjects available for the 2025 SSCE External examination. Core subjects include English Language, Mathematics, Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Literature in English, Government, Economics, Geography, and Civic Education. Candidates may also choose indigenous languages like Yoruba, Igbo, Hausa, and Arabic, along with religious studies such as Christian Religious Studies and Islamic Studies.

For students interested in business and commercial subjects, options include Financial Accounting, Commerce, Marketing, and Typewriting.

Candidates with a technical focus can select from a wide range of vocational subjects, including Technical Drawing, Metal Work, Woodwork, Building Construction, Auto Mechanics, Auto Body Repairs and Spray Painting, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration, Welding and Fabrication, Machine Woodworking, Radio, Television and Electronics Works, Basic Electricity, and Basic Electronics.

To align with growing demands for digital literacy, subjects like Data Processing and Computer Studies have also been included.