Thousands of applicants, schools, and stakeholders across Nigeria were caught off guard when the National Examinations Council (NECO) abruptly shut down its platform for maintenance. Without providing a definite reopening date, NECO announced that all of its exam portals would remain temporarily unavailable. This move left many stranded, unable to access essential services such as verification, result checking, and registration.
In a notice posted on its official website, NECO apologized for the disruption and asked for patience while the maintenance work continues. The council explained that the shutdown is part of a broader initiative to improve the reliability, security, and efficiency of its digital infrastructure. With millions of visitors accessing the portals every year, regular upgrades are necessary to handle heavy traffic and ensure a smoother user experience.
The shutdown followed a surge in portal activity after NECO released the 2024 SSCE External results in February 2025. The announcement generated massive traffic, as 62,929 candidates (75.62%) earned credit and above in English, while 77,988 candidates (93.93%) achieved the same in Mathematics. The high number of applicants and the growing demand for online result verification often push NECO’s systems to their limits, making maintenance essential.
Although the closure restricts immediate access, NECO’s track record suggests the maintenance will bring long-term improvements. Since July 2021, when Prof. Dantani Ibrahim Wushishi became Registrar and Chief Executive Officer, the council has consistently invested in technology upgrades. Initiatives such as the NECO e-Verify App for result confirmation, the use of stanine software for grading, and improved security measures helped reduce exam malpractice cases from 12,030 in 2023 to 8,407 in 2024.
Students and teachers are eager to know how long the maintenance will last. Some observers believe the suspension may be connected to preparations for the 2025 Nov/Dec GCE, scheduled from November 26 to December 13. Others suspect NECO may be reinforcing its systems against cybersecurity threats, especially after reports of data breaches affecting Nigerian accounts in 2025. Whatever the reason, protecting candidates’ personal information remains a top priority. The maintenance may involve adding stronger firewalls, encryption, and other advanced security measures.
The temporary closure has inconvenienced candidates, schools, and cybercafés that rely on the portal for critical operations. Many students remain in limbo after trying to register or check their results. However, NECO has assured the public that no candidate will be disadvantaged. The council promised to adjust deadlines if necessary, emphasizing that the outage will ultimately result in a faster, safer, and more user-friendly platform—though it has yet to announce a reopening date.
In the end, the NECO portal shutdown may cause short-term frustration, but it underscores NECO’s commitment to modernization, transparency, and efficiency. Candidates can expect improved performance, stronger security, and a smoother online experience when the portal returns. By staying updated through NECO’s official channels and preparing their necessary documents, candidates will be ready to act promptly once services resume.
