In a move that brought relief to many but confusion to others, the National Examinations Council (NECO) has confirmed that the 2025 May/June Senior School Certificate Examination (SSCE)scheduled for Tuesday, July 15, will proceed as planned, despite a national public holiday declared in honour of the late President Muhammadu Buhari.
ALSO READ: Buhari died when Nigeria needed him most – Former President Obasanjo
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Here’s why the exams went ahead and what it means for students and education stakeholders across Nigeria.
NECO vs. Public Holiday: Why the Exams Stayed On
In a statement widely reported by media outlets, NECO’s Acting Registrar, Ahmed Rabiu Bagwai, clarified that the ongoing SSCE will continue unaffected, despite the federal government’s decision to declare Tuesday a public holiday in Buhari’s memory.
He said, “This is to inform that the examination will proceed as scheduled, unaffected by the public holiday declaration. Please, ensure all necessary arrangements are in place.”
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ALSO READ: FG declares Tuesday public holiday to honor formal President Buhari
Similarly, in Lagos State, NECO’s State Coordinator, A. S. Adedoyin, urged schools to ensure candidates are present.
“Despite the public holiday declared tomorrow … our exams will proceed as scheduled without interruption.”The Sun
NECO reasoned that postponing these specific papers, namely Physics, Financial Accounting, and Basic Electricity would disrupt the overall examination timetable.
Official Timetable vs. Holiday Confusion
According to the official 2025 NECO SSCE timetable released in April and confirmed in July, Economics was scheduled for Monday, July 14, followed by Physics on Tuesday, July 15, and General Mathematics on Wednesday, July 16.
The abrupt government holiday, declared as part of a seven-day mourning period, created uncertainty among students, parents, and schools—many unsure whether the exams would be delayed or cancelled.
NECO’s Position Explained
Historically, NECO has postponed exams in the event of public holidays most notably during Eid-el-Maulud ceremonies and promptly issued revised timetables to avoid candidate confusion.
But in this instance, NECO emphasised that the continuity of the SSCE schedule was essential.
Cancelled papers would displace subsequent exams and require widespread adjustments, not a feasible disruption so close to the exam period.
