The National Examinations Council (NECO) has released the results of the 2025 National Common Entrance Examination (NCEE) into Federal Unity Colleges, revealing a disturbing surge in examination malpractice—with 50 candidates from Rivers State and 2 from Lagos State implicated.
The results were formally presented to the Minister of State for Education, Prof. Suwaiba Ahmad, in Abuja by NECO Registrar, Prof. Dantani Ibrahim Wushishi. The ceremony marks a major milestone in the nation’s education calendar and paves the way for the next phase of admissions into the country’s 110 Unity Colleges.
A Snapshot of the 2025 Exam
- Registered Candidates: 64,578.
- Exam Takers: 61,290.
- Absent Candidates: 3,288.
- Top Score: 202 (achieved by 13 pupils)
- Lowest Score: 1 (recorded by 27 candidates).
- Malpractice Cases: 52 (Rivers: 50, Lagos: 2).
The examination was conducted on June 14, 2025, across centers in Nigeria, Benin Republic, and Togo, drawing thousands of primary school pupils hoping to secure placement in federal government secondary schools.
Minister Condemns Cheating, Calls for Ethical Revival
Prof. Ahmad decried the reported cases of cheating, especially at such an early academic level, emphasizing that “exam malpractice at the foundation stage is a national red flag.”
“We are seeing the symptoms of a deeper societal issue,” she said. “When children in primary school are involved in malpractice—often facilitated by adults—we must ask ourselves hard questions about the values we’re passing down.”
She urged school administrators, parents, and community leaders to model academic honesty and discourage shortcuts, no matter how subtle.
Admission Framework
NECO reaffirmed that admission into Unity Colleges will follow the government’s standard criteria:
- 60% Merit
- 30% State Quota
- 10% Exigency Consideration
The Federal Ministry of Education has directed the Senior Secondary Education Department to commence immediate processing of admission lists based on these benchmarks.
Prof. Ahmad also assured the public of ongoing efforts to upgrade facilities, improve the welfare of teaching staff, and strengthen security in Unity Colleges nationwide.
Spotlight on FGA Suleja: Nigeria’s Gifted Academy
Alongside the NCEE, NECO also released results for the Federal Government Academy (FGA), Suleja, an elite institution dedicated to nurturing Nigeria’s most gifted learners.
- Registered Candidates: 3,421
- Sat for Exam: 3,141
- Top Score: 194
- Lowest Score: 1
FGA Suleja continues to play a strategic role in identifying and grooming exceptional students for national and global impact.
How to Access Results
Parents and guardians can check results by visiting NECO’s official portal:
Required details: Candidate’s Registration Number and Examination Year (2025).
Candidates are advised to print their result slips and follow further announcements regarding admission cutoffs and placement.
Malpractice: A Persisting Threat
The concentration of malpractice cases in Rivers State has sparked calls for greater supervision during examinations and a rethink of the roles of invigilators and school authorities.
“This isn’t just about the children. It’s a systemic failure that needs urgent attention,” said Joseph Adeyemi, a former NECO examiner and education rights advocate. “When adults compromise exams, they rob children of a fair future.”
Stakeholders are now calling for stricter enforcement, automated surveillance systems, and better training for supervisors to curb the trend.
Conclusion
As Nigeria’s education system works to restore confidence in national assessments, the release of the 2025 NCEE results offers a glimpse of both progress and persistent challenges. While tens of thousands of pupils await admission into Unity Colleges with pride and hope, the shadow of malpractice remains a troubling reality.
With vigilance, integrity, and reform, stakeholders agree: the future of Nigeria’s education system can still be secured—one honest exam at a time.