Kano State has emerged as the best-performing state in the 2025 Senior School Certificate Examination (SSCE Internal) conducted by the National Examinations Council (NECO).
Announcing the results on Tuesday in Minna, Niger State, NECO’s Registrar, Prof. Ibrahim Wushishi, revealed that 1,358,339 candidates sat for the June/July examination. Of this number, 818,492 students, representing 60.26 per cent, obtained at least five credits, including Mathematics and English Language. He added that 1,144,496 candidates, or 84.26 per cent, secured five credits and above with or without the two core subjects.
According to him, Kano topped the chart with 68,159 candidates (5.02 per cent of the national total) earning five credits and above, including English and Mathematics. Lagos followed closely with 67,007 (4.93 per cent), while Oyo State placed third with 48,742.
Reacting to the development, Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf of Kano State attributed the feat to his administration’s reforms in the education sector. In a statement by his spokesperson, Sunusi Tofa, on Wednesday, the governor described the performance as evidence that the “state of emergency” declared on education in 2024 was beginning to yield results.
Governor Yusuf noted that his government had consistently prioritized education in policy and budgeting. In both the 2024 and 2025 fiscal years, the sector received the single largest allocation, with 31 per cent of the 2025 budget dedicated to it.
Some of the interventions cited include the distribution of free uniforms and learning materials, rehabilitation of schools, recruitment and training of teachers, provision of classroom furniture, support for tertiary institutions, scholarship awards, and special programmes to promote girl-child education.
“Our reforms are clearly yielding results, and this outstanding performance by our students proves that Kano is on the right path,” the governor said. “Education remains our top priority, and we will continue to ensure that no child in Kano is left behind.
