From Dan Amasingha, Minna

The National Examinations Council (NECO) has released the results of the 2025 Senior School Certificate Examination (SSCE) for External Candidates, 52 days after the last paper was written, with 71.63 per cent of candidates achieving five credits and above, including English Language and Mathematics.

The results were announced yesterday at NECO’s headquarters in Minna, Niger State, by the Registrar and Chief Executive, Prof.

Dantani Wushishi, during a press briefing and a video statement posted on the council’s official X handle.

According to Prof. Wushishi, a total of 96,979 candidates registered for the examination, comprising 51,823 males (53.

43 per cent) and 45,156 females (46.56 per cent). Out of this number, 95,160 candidates actually sat for the examination, which covered 16 subjects.

A breakdown of the performance shows that 93,425 candidates sat for English Language, out of which 73,167, representing 78.32 per cent, obtained credit and above. In Mathematics, 93,330 candidates participated, with 85,256 candidates, or 91.36 per cent, scoring credit and above.

Overall, 68,166 candidates, representing 71.63 per cent, obtained five credits and above, including English Language and Mathematics. In addition, 82,082 candidates, or 86.26 per cent, achieved five credits and above irrespective of English and Mathematics.

Prof. Wushishi reiterated NECO’s zero tolerance for examination malpractice, noting that while standards and examination integrity were maintained from planning to result release, cases of malpractice increased significantly. He disclosed that 9,016 cases of examination malpractice were recorded in 2025, compared with 6,160 cases in 2024, representing an increase of about 31 per cent.

As part of disciplinary measures, five supervisors—two from the Federal Capital Territory and one each from Kano, Adamawa and Ondo States—were recommended for blacklisting for aiding and abetting malpractice. Additionally, four examination centres—two in Niger State and one each in Yobe and Kano States—were recommended for de-recognition over involvement in whole-centre malpractice.

The Registrar advised candidates to check their results on NECO’s official website using their examination registration numbers.

The SSCE External Examination is designed mainly for private candidates who are outside the regular school system, including those seeking to obtain certification or improve previously earned grades.

U.S. President Donald Trump has threatened to sue Grammys host, Trevor Noah after a joke he made about disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein on stage.

Trump blasted the comedian as a “total loser,” adding: “It looks like I’ll be sending my lawyers to sue this poor, pathetic, talentless, dope of an M.

C., and suing him for plenty of dollars. ”

Trump criticised Noah’s joke, made after the song of the year gong was handed out at the ceremony on Sunday night.

Writing on Truth Social, in a post strewn with uppercase words, Trump said: “Noah said, INCORRECTLY about me, that Donald Trump and Bill Clinton spent time on Epstein Island. WRONG!!!

“I can’t speak for Bill, but I have never been to Epstein Island, nor anywhere close, and until tonight’s false and defamatory statement, have never been accused of being there, not even by the Fake News Media.

“Noah, a total loser, better get his facts straight, and get them straight fast.”

He added: “Get ready Noah, I’m going to have some fun with you!”

Trump also blasted the ceremony saying: “The Grammy Awards are the WORST, virtually unwatchable! CBS is lucky not to have this garbage litter their airwaves any longer.”

This was an apparent reference to Disney taking over the broadcast rights for the award ceremony starting in 2027.

He has also engaged in legal action with the New York Times, Associated Press and the Wall Street Journal.

Last July, U.S. media giant Paramount, which owns CBS, agreed to pay Trump 16 million dollars to settle a lawsuit over a 2024 CBS interview with Kamala Harris, the former vice-president and 2024 Democratic presidential nominee.

Noah, 41, is a South African-born comedian and TV personality who hosted “The Daily Show” on Comedy Central in the U.S. for seven years.

By David Torough, Abuja

In a major boost to Nigeria’s agricultural transformation, the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI) is nearing completion of groundbreaking coal-based and liquid fertilizer production plants in Kano State.
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‎Dr.

Yahaya Tanko, Technical Assistant to NASENI’s Executive Vice Chairman/CEO Khalil Suleiman Halilu on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), has highlighted the projects’ potential to eliminate reliance on imported fertilizers, strengthen national food security, and contribute to lower greenhouse gas emissions through localized production.
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‎The initiatives, executed in partnership with Whitefog Environmental Services Limited and Indonesia’s PT Saputra Global Harvest via a bilateral technology transfer agreement, position Nigeria at the forefront of innovative agricultural inputs.
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‎The flagship coal-based fertilizer plant along Wudil Road—touted as Africa’s first of its kind—incorporates advanced processing techniques enriched with 26 mineral concentrates and activation technology.
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‎Dr. Tanko described the project as an innovative and eco-friendly alternative that aims to restore degraded soils, enhance microbial activity, improve nutrient retention, and dramatically increase crop yields.

“Production is slated to begin by May or June 2026.Under Halilu’s forward-thinking guidance, these landmark projects promise to revolutionize farming inputs, drive industrial self-reliance, and deliver tangible impact across the nation’s agri-food sector.
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‎“Complementing this is a dedicated liquid fertilizer facility, jointly developed by NASENI and Whitefog, offering customized, efficient nutrient solutions tailored to Nigeria’s diverse and often challenging soil profiles,” he said.
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‎Dr. Tanko noted that these developments align seamlessly with key United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 1 (No Poverty), SDG 2 (Zero Hunger), and SDG 13 (Climate Action).
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‎Central to SDG 2: Zero Hunger, the projects tackle Nigeria’s persistent challenges of low productivity, soil nutrient depletion, and vulnerability to food insecurity, Dr. Tanko said.
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‎By providing affordable, locally produced fertilizers, they support Target 2.3—doubling agricultural productivity and incomes for small-scale producers—and Target 2.4, promoting resilient, sustainable food systems.

Enhanced soil fertility and higher yields will help mitigate the impacts of drought, erosion, and erratic weather—crucial in a nation where agriculture sustains over 70% of the rural population yet struggles with import-driven cost volatility.
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‎The economic ripple effects strongly advance SDG 1: No Poverty. Officials project approximately 2,000 direct jobs in plant construction, operations, maintenance, and technical roles, with over 20 million indirect opportunities spanning the agricultural value chain—including farming, input distribution, processing, logistics, and marketing.

In rural Kano and beyond, where poverty and youth unemployment rates remain elevated, these employment prospects foster inclusive growth, boost household incomes, and break poverty cycles (Targets 1.1 and 1.2). Affordable fertilizers will lower production costs for smallholders, enabling higher earnings and greater economic stability.
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‎On SDG 13: Climate Action, the shift to domestic manufacturing promises meaningful mitigation benefits. Eliminating long-haul imports of fertilizers reduces transport-related carbon emissions, a significant factor in global supply chains, he said.
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‎“Improved soil health from the enriched coal-based product enhances carbon sequestration, water retention, and resilience to climate extremes like prolonged dry spells—directly supporting Target 13.1 on strengthening adaptive capacity.
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‎“While coal-derived processes necessitate rigorous environmental safeguards to minimize potential emissions or byproducts, NASENI emphasizes the plants’ ‘eco-friendly’ design and overall sustainability focus, ensuring net positive contributions to climate goals,” he added.
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‎Dr. Tanko underscored that these efforts dovetail with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda on food security, marking a decisive move toward self-reliance in critical agricultural inputs.
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‎“With construction at an advanced stage—including factories, warehouses, labs, and administrative facilities—machinery installation is imminent, signaling rapid progress. This is the way of our Executive Vice Chairman: no delay, no excuses. This project will be delivered soon,” he said.
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‎“The Kano fertilizer plants exemplify integrated progress: combating hunger while alleviating poverty and advancing climate-resilient development. As Nigeria intensifies its pursuit of the 2030 Agenda, this initiative not only promises abundant harvests and empowered farmers but also charts a path to sustainable prosperity amid global uncertainties,” Dr. Tanko concluded.