The West African Examinations Council (WAEC) has withheld the results of 192,089 candidates who sat for the 2025 May/June West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) over allegations of exam malpractice.
This figure represents 9.75 percent of the total 1,969,313 candidates who sat for the school-based examination, which was conducted across Nigeria.
According to the examination body, the affected results are currently under investigation, and decisions on their release or cancellation will be made following due process.
Announcing the release of the general results at a press briefing in Lagos on Monday, the Head of WAEC National Office in Nigeria, Dr Amos Dangut, explained that while the council recorded a slight drop in malpractice cases compared to previous years, the numbers remain troubling.
“The decline from 11.92 percent last year to 9.75 percent this year is due in part to the introduction of Computer-Based Testing in some key subjects,” Dr Dangut said. He listed subjects like English Language, Mathematics, Biology, and Economics as areas where CBT was piloted to reduce human interference and encourage integrity.
He also blamed the rising trend of examination malpractice on widespread reliance on “expo,” the leaking of exam papers through rogue websites, and the illegal use of mobile phones in examination halls. According to him, despite a strict ban, some candidates still sneaked in phones to access unauthorised materials during the exams.
“Many candidates no longer prepare adequately,” he said. “They depend on the false hope of leaked questions, and some even fall victim to scams run by people promising answers that never come.”
WAEC vowed to take disciplinary action against all those found culpable, including school authorities, invigilators, and supervisors, in a bid to clean up the system.
Meanwhile, the council confirmed that only 38.32 percent of candidates obtained credits and above in at least five core subjects, including English and Mathematics, marking the worst performance in recent years. In 2024, the figure stood at 72.12 percent.
Dr Dangut also disclosed that the results of 12,178 candidates with special needs were released without delay, including those who are visually or hearing impaired, physically challenged, or have other learning differences.
He urged candidates to check their results via www.waecdirect.org and download digital copies of their certificates through the council’s online portal. Physical certificates will be sent to schools at a later date.
WAEC said it will not release the results of candidates sponsored by state governments whose exam fees remain unpaid until the respective state authorities fulfil their financial obligations.
While appreciating the Federal Government, security agencies, and other partners for their support, WAEC reaffirmed its commitment to maintaining the credibility of the examination system across the sub-region.
