Outrage Over Technical Glitches in WASSCE Results
The West African Examinations Council (WAEC) has faced significant backlash following technical issues that prevented candidates from accessing the results portal for the 2025 West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE). The situation has led to widespread frustration among students, parents, and education stakeholders.
A statement issued by the Head of Public Affairs at WAEC National Office, Moyosola Adesina, revealed that bugs were identified in the result system after a post-release review. As a result, access to the result checker portal was temporarily suspended. Candidates who had previously checked their results were advised to re-check from Friday for updated versions.
The council defended its use of paper serialisation for certain subjects such as Mathematics, English Language, Biology, and Economics, but admitted that internal quality checks uncovered technical glitches in the backend systems. The council expressed regret over the inconvenience caused and pledged to resolve the issue within 24 hours.
This development came just under 24 hours after WAEC announced a temporary shutdown of its result portal due to “technical issues.” The council has been under scrutiny since Monday when it revealed that only 38.32% of the 1,969,313 candidates who sat for the 2025 WASSCE obtained credits and above in five subjects, including English Language and Mathematics. This figure, the worst in a decade, raised concerns about the state of education and the readiness for a full digital transition in national examinations.
Reactions from Education Stakeholders
Several education bodies and associations have voiced their concerns. The Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), the National Association of Parent-Teacher Associations of Nigeria (NAPTAN), and the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) all reacted to the situation.
Haruna Danjuma, the National President of NAPTAN, praised WAEC for taking responsibility but criticized the planned shift to full Computer-Based Testing (CBT) for external exams as impractical. He highlighted the lack of infrastructure and poor computer literacy among students, especially in rural areas. Danjuma urged the government to equip schools with computers and ensure students become computer-literate before implementing CBT.
On the other hand, the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) accused WAEC of incompetence, pointing out that the technical glitches caused unnecessary psychological distress for candidates and parents. Adejuwon Olatunji, Assistant General Secretary of NANS, called for accountability and demanded that those responsible be sanctioned. He emphasized that the result checker portal is a critical step in a student’s academic journey and any glitch at this stage is unforgivable.
Social Media Outcry
Social media users also expressed their frustration with WAEC's handling of the situation. Many questioned the council’s ability to manage such a critical process. SeyiB, a user on X, asked how WAEC intended to justify the 24-hour “miracle” of grade changes, warning that parents might demand script reviews and legal action if not handled properly.
Others, like PATO PATO, criticized WAEC for rushing the release of results without proper reviews. Dum Spiro Spero pointed out that the failure to review results before release was baffling, while Carpe Diem suggested that officials responsible for the glitches should be sacked.
Government Response and Future Plans
Despite the criticism, the Federal Ministry of Education confirmed that the glitch had been resolved. Director of Press, Folasade Boriowo, commended WAEC for its swift response and transparency. She assured the public that updated results would be accessible within 24 hours and reiterated the ministry’s commitment to fairness and credibility in assessments.
The Ministry also announced plans for phased implementation of CBT for objective components from November 2026. This initiative aims to curb malpractice, prevent exam leakages, and restore public trust in the exam system. It is seen as a necessary reform to ensure that Nigerian students are assessed strictly on merit, maintaining the credibility of their certificates both locally and internationally.
Broader Implications
The incident has sparked a broader conversation about the state of education in Nigeria. Audu Amba, President of the NUT, called for WAEC to return to the drawing board, noting that the public outcry was justified. He shifted the focus from blaming teachers to addressing student attitudes, parental involvement, government funding, and effective quality assurance.
Amba questioned the government’s political will to fund education adequately, pointing to deteriorating infrastructure and poor learning environments. He also highlighted the need for better monitoring and support for teachers, emphasizing that the responsibility for educational outcomes lies with multiple stakeholders.
As the situation continues to unfold, the call for accountability, transparency, and competent leadership remains strong. The incident serves as a reminder of the importance of thorough preparation and reliable systems in managing high-stakes examinations.