NECO 2026 SSCE External Registration Now Open – How Private Candidates Can Apply

The National Examinations Council (NECO) has opened the registration portal for the 2026 November/December Senior School Certificate Examination (SSCE) External. Private candidates who wish to obtain or upgrade their O-Level results can now register online. Registration began on 7 July 2026 and will close on 20 October 2026. Late registration with a penalty fee will be accepted until 3 November 2026, after which the portal will shut permanently. To register, candidates must visit the NECO online portal at www.neco.gov.ng, create an account, and fill in their personal details. A recent passport photograph and biometric data are required. Candidates must select their examination town and desired subjects. The registration fee varies depending on the number of subjects. Payment can be made online using a debit card or through a bank deposit. NECO has warned against registering through unauthorised agents. The examination is scheduled to begin on Monday, 17 November 2026 and will run through December. Candidates are advised to check the NECO website regularly for the final timetable. NECO also reminded candidates that the SSCE External certificate is equivalent to the school-based SSCE. It is accepted by all Nigerian universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education. Candidates who need to combine results from different sittings should ensure they register with the same name and details used in previous exams.