WAEC Releases 2025 WASSCE Results: 9.75% Withheld, Only 38.32% Pass Maths, English

By Emmanuel Kwada

The West African Examinations Council (WAEC) has announced the release of the 2025 West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) results for school candidates, revealing a significant decline in academic performance. Only 38.32% of candidates achieved credits and above in at least five subjects, including the critical benchmarks of English Language and Mathematics, marking a sharp 33.8% drop from the 72.12% pass rate recorded in 2024.

Additionally, the results of 192,089 candidates, representing 9.75% of the total, have been withheld due to suspected examination malpractice.

The 2025 WASSCE, conducted between April 24 and June 20 across 23,554 recognized secondary schools in Nigeria and WAEC-accredited institutions in Benin Republic, Côte d’Ivoire, and Equatorial Guinea, saw a total of 1,973,365 registered candidates. Of these, 1,969,313 candidates sat for the examination.

According to Dr. Amos Dangut, Head of WAEC’s Nigeria National Office, 1,718,090 candidates (87.24%) obtained credits and above in at least five subjects, with or without English Language and Mathematics. However, only 754,545 candidates, representing 38.32%, secured credits in five subjects, including both English and Mathematics, a critical requirement for university admission in Nigeria and other West African countries.

A gender breakdown of the successful candidates shows that 407,353 (53.99%) were female, while 347,192 (46.01%) were male, indicating a slightly higher success rate among female candidates. Of the total candidates, 976,787 (49.60%) were male, and 992,526 (50.40%) were female, reflecting near-parity in participation.

Dr. Dangut highlighted the significant decline in performance, noting, “This year’s results show a 33.8% decrease in the percentage of candidates achieving credits in five subjects, including English and Mathematics, compared to 72.12% in 2024.”

Students now rely on so-called ‘expo’ from rogue websites, many of which deceive them with outdated materials

He attributed the drop to stricter anti-malpractice measures, including the serialization of objective test papers in key subjects such as English, Mathematics, Biology, and Economics, which reduced collusion but impacted objective paper scores.

WAEC withheld the results of 192,089 candidates, accounting for 9.75% of the total entries, due to various forms of examination malpractice. This figure represents a slight improvement from the 11.92% withheld in 2024, a 2.17% reduction attributed to the introduction of Computer-Based Testing (CBT) in select subjects and serialized question papers. Reported infractions include the smuggling of mobile phones into exam halls, organized cheating in some schools, and collusion involving supervisors and teachers.

Dr. Dangut expressed concern over the persistent use of mobile phones and the circulation of leaked question papers on social media platforms, stating, “Students now rely on so-called ‘expo’ from rogue websites, many of which deceive them with outdated materials.” He emphasized WAEC’s zero-tolerance policy, noting that investigations are ongoing, and decisions will be made by the council’s Examination Committee.

Affected candidates will be notified through their schools, and those dissatisfied can lodge complaints via https://waecinternational.org/complaints.

All hands must be on deck to sanitize the system

Despite the reduction in malpractice cases, Dangut called on stakeholders to address the “thorn in the Council’s flesh” posed by organized cheating, warning that schools, teachers, supervisors, and students involved are undermining the educational system. “All hands must be on deck to sanitize the system,” he urged.

Issues Of the total results, 1,517,517 (77.06%) have been fully processed and released, while 451,796 (22.94%) are still under processing due to technical or administrative issues. WAEC assured that these outstanding results will be released within days as efforts continue to resolve pending validations.

Candidates can access their results online at www.waecdirect.org using the PIN and serial number on their Smart Identity Cards issued during the examination. Digital certificates will be available within 48 hours, and hard copies will be ready within 90 days. However, candidates sponsored by state governments with outstanding debts to WAEC will not access their results until payments are cleared. Dr. Dangut appealed to defaulting states, saying, “We urge concerned governments to settle their debts to avoid penalizing innocent students.”

We urge concerned governments to settle their debts to avoid penalizing innocent students

WAEC reported that 12,178 candidates with special needs participated in the 2025 WASSCE, including 112 visually impaired, 615 with hearing impairments, 52 with mental challenges, and 37 with physical disabilities. All were provided with tailored accommodations, and their results have been processed and released alongside others, reflecting WAEC’s commitment to inclusive education.

The 2025 WASSCE introduced significant anti-malpractice measures, including the serialization of objective test papers, which ensured each candidate received a unique version of the exam. While essay paper performance remained consistent with previous years, objective paper scores saw a noticeable decline, which Dangut attributed to the effectiveness of these measures in curbing cheating. However, he noted instances where candidates with different question papers still attempted to copy from one another, highlighting the need for continued vigilance.

WAEC also employed a hybrid model for the 2025 examination, combining traditional pen-and-paper tests with CBT for subjects like English, Mathematics, Biology, and Economics. The council is preparing for a full transition to CBT for all school candidates in 2026, in line with federal government directives.

12,178 candidates with special needs participated in the 2025 WASSCE

A real-time digital scoring system was introduced to enhance the speed and accuracy of result processing, with coordination and marking completed between July 3 and July 21, involving 87,499 examiners and 2,706 e-examiners.

The 2025 WASSCE faced significant challenges, including controversies surrounding the English Language paper, which was delayed and conducted late at night for some candidates, prompting calls for its cancellation. Dr. Dangut acknowledged these issues but reaffirmed WAEC’s commitment to maintaining examination integrity. He also noted rising costs due to inflation, high fuel prices, and increased material costs, which have strained the council’s resources.

The struggle is real for Nigerian students

Education stakeholders have expressed alarm over the 33.8% performance drop, with social media posts reflecting public concern. One user on X lamented, “The struggle is real for Nigerian students,” while others described the results as exposing a “crisis” in Nigeria’s education system.

Dr. Dangut urged stakeholders to collaborate in curbing malpractice and improving learning outcomes. As WAEC prepares for a full CBT rollout in 2026, the council is embracing technological innovations to deliver faster, more secure assessments while maintaining its commitment to credible examinations.

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