The West African Examinations Council (WAEC)has announced a sharp decline in performance for the 2025 West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE), with just 38.32% of candidates obtaining credits in five subjects, including English Language and Mathematics.
Out of 1,969,313 candidates who sat for the exam, only 754,545 achieved the minimum benchmark. This is a 33.8% drop compared to the 72.12% success rate recorded in 2024.
The alarming statistics were revealed by Dr. Amos Dangut, WAEC’s Head of National Office, during a press briefing on Monday.
He also confirmed that the results of 192,089 candidates (9.75%) have been withheld due to various cases of examination malpractice, including unauthorised use of mobile phones and organised cheating in some schools.
“All cases are being investigated and reports will be presented to the appropriate Committee of the Council for consideration and final decisions, Dr. Dangut said. “Affected candidates will be communicated through their various schools; and Candidates can now call for redress of their malpractice cases if they so wish.”
Breakdown of 2025 WASSCE Results:
Total candidates who sat: 1,969,313
Credits in 5 subjects including English & Maths: 754,545 (38.32%)
Male candidates among successful: 347,192 (46.01%)
Female candidates among successful: 407,353 (53.99%)
Candidates from Nigeria, Benin Republic, Côte d’Ivoire, and Equatorial Guinea—where the Nigerian curriculum is used—participated in the exam.
A total of 1,973,365 students from 23,554 schools registered, with 1,969,313 eventually sitting for the exam.
WAEC reiterated its zero-tolerance stance on exam malpractice.
“The Council will continue to sanction all cases of examination malpractice. Schools, supervisors, teachers, and candidates perpetrating this evil are not helping the educational system. WAEC is calling for all hands to be on deck to sanitise the system.”
How to Access Results
Candidates can check their results by visiting www.waecdirect.org using the PIN and Serial Number from their Smart Identity Card issued during the exam.
WAEC says results will be accessible within 12 hours, and digital certificates will be available 48 hours after.
However, results for candidates sponsored by states that are indebted to WAEC have been withheld until payments are made.
WAEC Special Needs Participation
Dr. Dangut also highlighted increased participation by candidates with special needs. A total of 12,178 students registered under this category, including: 112 visually challenged, 615 hearing impaired and 52 physically or mentally challenged.
He described their participation as a “significant milestone” in WAEC’s commitment to inclusive education.
”A significant highlight of the examination is the participation of candidates with special needs. A total of 12,178 candidates with varying degrees of special needs registered for the examination. This includes: Visually Challenged, 112 candidates who are blind or have visual impairments; Hearing Impaired: 615 candidates who are deaf or hard of hearing; and Spastic cum Mentally Challenged: 52 candidates with physical and intellectual disabilities,he said.
Hard copies of certificates for fully processed results will reportedly be available within the next 90 days.
