Kano State has emerged as the best-performing state in the 2025 National Examinations Council (NECO) Senior School Certificate Examination (SSCE) for internal candidates, marking a historic milestone for the state and its education system.
NECO Registrar, Professor Ibrahim Wushishi, announced the results on Wednesday at a press conference in Minna, Niger State.
Kano State led the country with 68,159 candidates—5.02% of the national total—earning five credits or more, including English and Mathematics. This outstanding achievement placed Kano at the top of the 2025 NECO SSCE performance index.
This success followed sweeping education reforms and major investments introduced by Governor Abba Yusuf’s administration.
Professor Wushishi confirmed that 1,358,339 candidates sat the June/July 2025 NECO exams, with 818,492 students (60.26%) securing five credits including Mathematics and English. In total, 1,144,496 candidates (84.26%) achieved five credits or more in any subject.
Kano outperformed all other states, with Lagos ranking second with 67,007 successful candidates and Oyo coming third with 48,742.
Governor Yusuf, through his spokesperson Sunusi Bature Dawakin Tofa, expressed delight at the results, describing them as “a reflection of tireless work and vision” underpinning his administration’s education policies.
“I am thrilled by this outstanding performance. It proves that when we prioritise education, invest in teachers, and guarantee access to quality learning, the results speak for themselves,” Governor Yusuf declared. “This success belongs to every teacher, student, and parent who has supported our reforms.”
Education analyst Dr Amina Lawal praised the governor’s strategy, noting: “Kano’s success in the NECO exams clearly demonstrates the power of visionary leadership and sustained investment in education. The state has set a new benchmark for others to follow.”