The 2025 NECO Nov/Dec SSCE (GCE) registration for external/private candidates is now open. If you were not in a regular secondary school but want to earn your Senior Secondary Certificate, this is your opportunity. This article breaks down who can register, requirements, costs, key dates, subjects offered, and tips to ensure you don’t make mistakes.

Who Can Apply?

• The NECO GCE is for private (external) candidates — those who are not currently in regular secondary school.
• You can register online or offline.
• The exam will be computer-based (CBE).

What You’ll Need (Before Registering)

Be ready with:

1. National Identification Number (NIN)
2. Recent passport photo (white background, not older than 6 months)
3. Fingerprint scanner (biometric capture) — your fingerprints will be used to verify identity during the exam. Mismatches may lead to disqualification.

Where and How to Register

• Visit the official NECO registration portal (ssceexternal.neco.gov.ng).
• Create an account using your email or phone number.
• After login, you can:
  • Buy a registration quota
  • Visit a trusted café (or center) to upload passport and provide biometrics

Registration Fee & Extra Charges

• Standard fee: ₦30,000, which covers registration, a waterproof certificate folder, and a maths table.
• Late registration (between 19 – 25 November): additional ₦5,000
• Walk-in registration: ₦43,000
• Note: extra fees may apply for stamp duty and Remita charges

How to Pay

You can pay via:

• ATM card
• Internet banking
• USSD
• Mobile wallet
• At a bank branch

Ensure payment goes into NECO’s TSA (Treasury Single Account).

Important Dates to Note

• Registration opens: 7 July 2025
• Regular registration closes: midnight, 18 November 2025
• Late registration window: 19 – 25 November 2025
• Exam period: 26 November to 13 December 2025

Photo Card & Timetable

• After completing registration, you must print your timetable and collect a photo card with your passport photo
• A referee must sign and stamp the photo card. Acceptable referees include:
  • A principal of a recognized school
  • A cleric (pastor, imam)
  • Military officer or police (rank Captain or above)
  • Civil servant (grade level 14 and above)
  • Lawyer with at least 10 years’ experience
• You do not need to submit the photo card to a NECO state office.

For Special-Needs Candidates

• Register just like all other candidates.
• Tick the appropriate option (box) online to indicate your special needs.

Choosing Your Exam Centre

• During registration, you’ll be prompted to choose a centre in your neighborhood.
• You cannot change your centre after uploading your form—so choose wisely.

Subjects Offered (You Can Choose Up to 16)

You may select from the following:

1. Agricultural Science
2. Biology
3. Chemistry
4. Civic Education
5. Christian Religious Studies
6. Commerce
7. Economics
8. English Language
9. Financial Accounting
10. General Mathematics
11. Geography
12. Government
13. Islamic Studies
14. Literature in English
15. Marketing
16. Physics

About the Exam Itself

• The exam is computer-based (CBE)
• NECO may arrange a mock exam beforehand
• You can edit your registration details once before the exam starts
  • You may only change one of name or passport, not both
• Your photo and NIN will appear on your certificate
• Candidates registered more than once (double registration) will have their results cancelled

Dos & Don’ts (Important Rules)

• Arrive at least 30 minutes early
• No phones or gadgets allowed in the exam hall
• Wear plain clothes, no uniforms
• Avoid registering multiple times
• Don’t rely on shady cafés for uploading or biometrics—errors may be irreversible
• Read all rules and syllabus ahead of time

Final Advice

• Use a reliable café or center for biometric capture and form upload
• Double-check every detail before submission
• If you’re unsure about any step, seek assistance from someone experienced in the registration process

To begin your registration, go to the NECO External Portal at ssceexternal.neco.gov.ng.