Waec
The West African Examinations Council (WAEC) has released the 2025 West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) results, showing a significant decline in student performance. Only 38.32% of candidates obtained credits in five subjects, including English and Mathematics, marking the worst result in five years. This drop in performance has raised concerns among education stakeholders, parents, and students.
A total of 1,969,313 students sat for the exam, with 754,545 meeting the minimum requirement for university admission. The pass rate dropped by 33.8% compared to 2024, when 72.12% of candidates passed. This decline has sparked a national conversation about the state of education in Nigeria and the need for urgent reforms.
One major factor contributing to the poor performance is the introduction of Computer-Based Testing (CBT) and serialization methods to curb malpractice. While these changes aimed to ensure the integrity of the examination process, they may have disadvantaged some students, particularly those in rural areas with limited computer skills. Many students struggled with the CBT format due to lack of exposure to computers, which hindered their ability to perform well.
The WAEC results also revealed that 192,089 results were withheld due to suspected examination malpractice. Although this figure is slightly better than last year’s 11.92%, it still highlights the need for continued efforts to prevent cheating and ensure the credibility of the examination process.
Education stakeholders, experts, and parents have expressed concern over the results, citing the need for urgent reforms to address the issues. Some have attributed the poor performance to poor teaching quality, inadequate school preparation, and student distractions, such as social media. Others have noted that some students’ phobia for certain subjects, like Mathematics, contributed to their poor performance.
The WAEC council is working to release the remaining results and will provide a detailed analysis of subject-by-subject performance. To improve the situation, experts recommend improved teacher training, integration of digital tools, and increased funding for public schools. By addressing these issues, Nigeria can work towards improving the quality of education and ensuring that students are better prepared for future examinations.
The poor performance in the WASSCE has significant implications for students seeking admission to universities and other tertiary institutions. With a lower percentage of students meeting the minimum requirements, many may face challenges in securing admission, which could lead to a larger pool of students seeking alternative paths or waiting for another year to retake the exam.
Overall, the WAEC results highlight the need for a comprehensive review of the education system in Nigeria. By identifying the root causes of the poor performance and implementing effective solutions, stakeholders can work towards improving the quality of education and ensuring that students are well-equipped to succeed in their academic pursuits.
