The release of the 2025 West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) results has continued to stir controversy as education stakeholders accuse the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) of undermining Nigeria’s education system.
Out of 1,969,313 candidates who sat for the exam, only 38.32% obtained credits in at least five subjects including English Language and Mathematics, compared to 72.12% in 2024. The sharp decline triggered outrage from parents, teachers, and students, with calls for independent investigations and a possible overhaul of WAEC’s management.
Critics highlighted irregularities such as the delayed and rescheduled English Language paper, technical glitches, and questionable grading standards. The Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) described the process as evidence of systemic failure, while the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) condemned the poor conditions under which candidates sat for some papers.
Teachers expressed doubts over WAEC’s credibility. One described the outcome as a “national disaster,” accusing the body of turning examinations into trial and error. Concerns were also raised about WAEC’s ability to transition to Computer-Based Testing (CBT) by 2026, given Nigeria’s weak digital infrastructure.
Some affected candidates said they were shifting their hopes to the National Examination Council (NECO), expressing disappointment in WAEC’s handling of the exams.
Meanwhile, the Minister of Education, Maruf Olatunji Alausa, reaffirmed the government’s commitment to transparency and credible assessments, citing declining examination malpractice rates in recent years. He stressed that teacher training and stronger monitoring would be key to restoring trust in Nigeria’s education system.
