NECO Temporarily Shuts Down Portals Nationwide for System Maintenance

The National Examinations Council (NECO) has announced a temporary shutdown of all its digital portals across Nigeria due to scheduled maintenance. The notice, published on NECO’s official website, did not specify when the portals would be restored, sparking concerns among candidates, schools, and stakeholders who rely heavily on the platforms for essential services.

Services Affected

The shutdown affects major platforms, including the:

• NECO Results Portal (results.neco.gov.ng)
• Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) access
• National Common Entrance Examination (NCEE) services
• Senior School Certificate Examination (SSCE) result checking and registration

This move has caused temporary disruption, especially for users seeking urgent access to the 2024 SSCE External results, which were released on February 14, 2025. According to NECO’s Registrar, Prof. Dantani Ibrahim Wushishi, over 62,929 candidates (75.62%) scored credit and above in English, while 93.93% passed Mathematics.

Why the Shutdown?

While no specific reasons were disclosed, several likely factors may have prompted the move:

• High User Traffic: With over 1.3 million candidates participating in the 2024 SSCE, NECO’s digital infrastructure may have been under significant strain, requiring system upgrades to ensure smooth access.
• Cybersecurity Measures: Following a major data breach in 2025 that compromised over 150,000 Nigerian accounts, NECO may be reinforcing firewalls and encryption to better protect sensitive student data.
• Feature Integration: Given NECO’s recent technological strides, such as the launch of the NECO e-verify App and adoption of stanine grading software, this maintenance could involve adding new digital features or enhancing user interfaces.

Commitment to Transparency and Quality

NECO has assured users that the maintenance is essential to improve long-term performance, security, and reliability. The shutdown aligns with the agency’s broader goal of becoming a credible, globally respected exam body—a mission championed by Prof. Wushishi since his appointment in July 2021.

In the lead-up to the portal closure, NECO held a Sensitisation and Training Workshop for Chief Examiners at its Minna headquarters. This reflects the Council’s ongoing efforts to maintain consistency in marking and uphold high standards of transparency.

Prof. Wushishi has also led efforts to combat exam malpractice, which dropped from 12,030 cases in 2023 to 8,407 in 2024, reinforcing his reputation for integrity and reform.

Looking Ahead

The portal maintenance, while inconvenient in the short term, appears aimed at ensuring future readiness—particularly with the 2025 Nov/Dec GCE around the corner (November 26–December 13). Although users remain anxious about the lack of a clear reopening date, NECO’s track record of leveraging technology to improve services suggests that the system upgrade is a proactive step toward enhanced service delivery.

For now, the Council urges patience and reassures the public that the portals will be restored once critical updates are completed.