2025 NECO GCE Registration: Instructions & Guidelines
NECO has started registration for the 2025 Nov/Dec SSCE for private candidates. This piece breaks down what to do, how much to pay, and how the computer-based exam works.
Table of contents
Who Can Apply?
The 2025 NECO Nov/Dec SSCE External is for candidates who are not in regular school. That means if you’re a private candidate hoping to get your Senior School Certificate, this is your chance.
You can register either online or offline. The exam will be fully computer-based and will cover 16 subjects.
What You’ll Need
Before registration, make sure you have:
- A valid National Identification Number (NIN)
- A passport photo not older than 6 months, on a white background
- A fingerprint scanner at your café, because biometric capture is required
Your fingerprints will be used to verify your identity during the exam. If they don’t match, you could be flagged as an impersonator. No jokes.
Where To Register
Go to the official NECO registration site to begin.
You’ll be asked to create an account using your email or phone number.
Once your account is ready, you can:
- Buy your registration quota
- Head to a trusted café for biometric data and passport upload
How Much?
- ₦30,000 covers registration, a waterproof certificate folder, and a maths table
- Extra charges for stamp duty and Remita may apply
- If you register late (19–25 November), you’ll pay ₦5,000 extra
- Walk-in registration is ₦43,000
How To Pay
After creating your account, pay through any of these:
- ATM card
- Internet banking
- USSD
- Wallet
- At a bank branch
Make sure your payment goes into the NECO TSA account.
Key Dates
- Registration opens: 7 July 2025
- Regular registration closes: 18 November 2025 (midnight)
- Late registration: 19–25 November 2025
- Exam runs: 26 November to 13 December 2025
Photo Card and Timetable
After registering:
- Print out your timetable
- Collect one clear photo card with your passport on it
- Your referee must sign and stamp this card
Who qualifies as a referee?
- Principal of a recognised school
- Cleric (Pastor or Imam)
- Military officer or police (Captain and above)
- Civil servant (GL 14 and above)
- Lawyer with 10+ years of experience
You no longer need to submit this card to any NECO state office.
Special Needs Candidates
Register like everyone else. Just tick the appropriate box online to indicate your needs.
Choose Your Centre
You’ll be assigned a centre based on the neighbourhood you choose during registration. You can’t change your centre after uploading your form, so pick carefully.
Subjects Offered
- Agricultural Science
- Biology
- Chemistry
- Civic Education
- Christian Religious Studies
- Commerce
- Economics
- English Language
- Financial Accounting
- General Mathematics
- Geography
- Government
- Islamic Studies
- Literature in English
- Marketing
- Physics
About the Exam
- This is a Computer-Based Exam (CBE)
- A mock exam will be arranged before the main one (you’ll be told when)
- You can edit your details only once before the exam starts
- You can only change one name or passport, not both
- Your photo and NIN will appear on your certificate
- Results for double registration will be cancelled
Dos and Don’ts
- Don’t arrive late. Get to the venue 30 minutes early
- No phones or gadgets allowed
- Come in plain clothes, no uniforms
- Multiple registrations are not allowed
- Read the rules and syllabus before the exam
- Avoid shady cafés. If you make a mistake, NECO won’t fix it for you
Final Advice
Use a reliable café. Double-check every detail before hitting upload. If unsure, ask someone who knows the ropes.
To start your registration, visit the NECO External Portal.