2025 WASSCE: Less Than 40% of Candidates Passed Key Subjects – WAEC

The West African Examinations Council (WAEC) has raised concerns over a significant drop in performance in the 2025 West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE), with only 38.32% of candidates securing credits in five subjects, including English Language and Mathematics.

Releasing the results on Monday, Dr. Amos Dangut, WAEC’s Head of National Office, disclosed that only 754,545 out of 1,969,313 candidates who sat for the exam met the minimum benchmark. This marks a sharp decline from the 72.12% pass rate recorded in 2024, amounting to a 33.8% drop in performance.

Malpractice Cases and Result Withholding

WAEC also revealed that 192,089 candidates (representing 9.75%) had their results withheld due to alleged involvement in examination malpractice. Offences included the unauthorised use of mobile phones, as well as coordinated cheating in certain schools.

“All reported cases are under investigation,” said Dr. Dangut. “Findings will be submitted to the Council’s appropriate committee, and affected students will be informed through their respective schools.”

Students have also been given the opportunity to appeal their cases for redress, where necessary.

Result Breakdown by Gender and Region

• Total number of candidates who sat for the exam: 1,969,313

• Number who passed with at least five credits including English and Mathematics: 754,545

  • Male candidates among the successful: 347,192 (46.01%)

  • Female candidates among the successful: 407,353 (53.99%)

Participants included students from Nigeria, Benin Republic, Côte d’Ivoire, and Equatorial Guinea, all using the Nigerian education curriculum.

A total of 1,973,365 candidates registered for the exam from 23,554 schools, with 1,969,313 eventually sitting for the papers.

Inclusive Education: Special Needs Participation

WAEC also highlighted its progress in inclusive education, noting the participation of 12,178 candidates with special needs, broken down as follows:

• Visually impaired: 112

• Hearing impaired: 615

• Physically or mentally challenged: 52

Dr. Dangut called this development a “milestone in promoting inclusive learning”, and reaffirmed WAEC’s commitment to supporting students of all abilities.

Accessing the Results

Candidates can now check their results via www.waecdirect.org, using the PIN and Serial Number found on their Smart Identity Card issued during the exams.

• Digital certificates will be available within 48 hours, while

• Hard copy certificates for fully processed results will be ready within 90 days.

However, WAEC clarified that results of candidates sponsored by state governments with outstanding debts will remain withheld until full payments are received.

WAEC’s Warning on Exam Malpractice

The examination body reiterated its zero-tolerance policy towards malpractice, urging teachers, schools, supervisors, and candidates to uphold integrity.

“Those aiding cheating are damaging the future of education,” WAEC said. “All stakeholders must work together to restore credibility to the system.”