WASSCE 2025 Results Review Sparks Controversy and Concerns
The release of the 2025 West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) results has sparked widespread criticism from students, parents, educationists, and other stakeholders. The examination body, the West African Examinations Council (WAEC), faced backlash for what many consider to be the worst results in a decade. Only 38.32% of candidates, or 754,545 students, achieved credits and above in at least five subjects, including English Language and Mathematics.
This year’s results have led to a surge in complaints from various sectors of the education community, primarily due to the high failure rate in the English Language subject. This prompted WAEC to conduct a review of the results, which has raised further concerns about the integrity and reliability of the examination process.
Technical Glitches or Systemic Issues?
In response to the growing dissatisfaction, WAEC issued a statement attributing the review to "technical glitches" that occurred during the processing of results for four subjects—Mathematics, English Language, Biology, and Economics—where paper serialization was used as a measure to prevent malpractice. The council emphasized that these technical issues caused some result-checkers to be unable to access the portal, leading to the temporary suspension of result access.
WAEC assured affected candidates that the problems would be resolved within 24 hours and advised those who had already checked their results to recheck them after the update. The council also expressed its commitment to ensuring fairness, transparency, and professionalism in all assessment processes.
The Federal Ministry of Education confirmed the technical glitch and praised WAEC for its swift response and transparency. The ministry stated that the updated results would be available on the portal within the next 24 hours and reiterated its dedication to maintaining the integrity of national examinations.
Reforms and Future Steps
The incident has been linked to the broader reform agenda of the Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Olatunji Alausa, who emphasizes the importance of examination integrity in education policy. As part of this initiative, WAEC and the National Examinations Council (NECO) will begin a phased rollout of Computer-Based Testing (CBT) starting in November 2026. This move is aimed at curbing malpractice, preventing question leakages, and restoring public confidence in the examination system.
The ministry reaffirmed its commitment to working with WAEC, NECO, and other stakeholders to build an assessment system that accurately reflects the abilities of Nigerian students and strengthens public confidence in the nation's education framework.
Parental Reactions and Concerns
Parents and guardians have expressed mixed reactions to the decision to review the results. Some criticized the move, arguing that it undermines the principles of merit and fairness. Mr. Samuel Ese, a parent, called the review the “dumbest move” and urged parents to encourage their children to study rather than rely on favoritism or cheating.
Mrs. Benedicta Godsple echoed similar sentiments, suggesting that instead of reviewing results, the government should focus on strengthening the educational system. She emphasized the need for quality teachers and improved secondary education to ensure students pass external exams.
On the other hand, some parents remain optimistic. Malam Aminu Ahmad expressed hope that the review process would be fair and that his daughter’s results would remain unchanged. Hajiya Fauziyya, another parent, voiced concerns about the timing and necessity of the decision, fearing that her child’s results could be affected.
Students and Educational Stakeholders Weigh In
Students who sat for both WASSCE and NECO have shifted their focus to the NECO results, hoping for more favorable outcomes. Malam Shehu Bello Kawo, a father of one of the students, noted that while his son failed, he hoped the review process would not negatively impact those who have already met university admission requirements.
Some students, like Aminu Sama'ila Hotoro, welcomed the review, calling it a necessary step given the poor performance in the English Language. He pointed out that many students in Kano State opted for NECO due to state-sponsored exams, highlighting the need for WAEC to reassess its results.
Educational stakeholders have also weighed in. Dr. Kayode Adeyemi of the National Association of Proprietors of Private Schools (NAPPS) condemned the results, citing numerous complaints from members. Adebayo Alomaja, founder of Easy-Digi, questioned the term "technical glitches," pointing to past incidents such as JAMB’s network issues and cybercrime threats.
Tobi Kareem, a tutorial owner, expressed frustration over the impact of the English Language failure on students’ admissions prospects. He highlighted the need for transparency and accountability from WAEC, emphasizing that the examination system must regain its value and credibility.