The West African Examinations Council (WAEC) has released the results of the 2025 West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) for school candidates, revealing a concerning drop in academic performance compared to the previous year.
Out of 1,969,313 candidates who sat for the examination, only 754,545 candidates representing 38.32% obtained credits and above in a minimum of five subjects, including English Language and Mathematics.
This marks a sharp decline from the 2024 results, where 72.12% of candidates met the same benchmark, reflecting a 33.8% drop in overall performance year-on-year.
The disclosure was made by Amos Dangut, Head of WAEC’s Nigeria National Office, during a press briefing in Lagos on Monday.
“This year’s results indicate a significant drop, and it is a wake-up call for stakeholders across the education sector,” Dangut stated.
Breakdown of Key Statistics
- Total Registered Candidates: 1,973,365
- Total Candidates Who Sat for the Exam: 1,969,313
- Successful Candidates with 5 Credits (inc. English & Maths): 754,545
- Male: 347,192 (46.01%)
- Female: 407,353 (53.99%)
- Special Needs Candidates: 12,178
- Visually Impaired: 112
- Hearing Impaired: 615
- Physically & Mentally Challenged: 52
The 2025 exam also included candidates from Benin Republic, Côte d’Ivoire, and Equatorial Guinea, where the Nigerian curriculum is used.
Nearly 10% of Results Withheld Over Malpractice
In a further revelation, WAEC announced that the results of 192,089 candidates, representing 9.75% of those who sat for the examination, have been withheld due to examination malpractice.
According to Dangut, these cases are under investigation and involve infractions such as the use of mobile phones during exams and coordinated cheating by some schools.
“All such cases are being investigated, and decisions will be made by the appropriate committee. Affected candidates will be informed through their schools,” he added.
WAEC Issues Strong Warning Against Exam Cheating
Dangut reaffirmed the Council’s zero-tolerance policy on malpractice, stressing that culprits including schools, supervisors, and teachers are undermining the integrity of the education system.
“WAEC will continue to sanction all offenders. We urge all stakeholders to collaborate in sanitising the system,” he warned.
Result Access and Certificates
WAEC confirmed that candidates who fulfilled their financial obligations can access their results online at www.waecdirect.org within 12 hours of the announcement. Digital certificates will be available within 48 hours thereafter.
However, the Council noted that results for candidates sponsored by indebted state governments will remain withheld until payments are made.
“The Result Checker PIN and Serial Number are printed on the Smart Identity Card used during the examination,” Dangut reminded.
Hard copies of certificates for successfully processed results will be ready within 90 days.
Special Needs Inclusion Praised
WAEC highlighted a notable improvement in inclusivity during the 2025 WASSCE. A total of 12,178 candidates with special needs participated in the exam, receiving tailored accommodations.
“This year’s special needs participation reflects our commitment to accessible and inclusive education,” Dangut said.
