WAEC Records Slight Dip in WASSCE Pass Rate for 2026

The West African Examinations Council has made public the outcomes of the 2026 West African Senior School Certificate Examination for school candidates. According to the results announced in Lagos by the Head of WAEC Nigeria, Dr. Josiah Dangut, a total of 1,200,514 candidates secured credits in at least five subjects, including English Language and Mathematics. This figure represents 61.54 percent of the 1,950,726 candidates who participated in the examination. In comparison to the previous year, the pass rate has decreased by 2.26 percent, as 1,239,884 candidates, or 62.96 percent, achieved the same benchmark in the 2025 WASSCE. Dr. Dangut revealed that the results of 1,834,695 candidates, which is 94.05 percent, have been processed and released, while the results of 116,031 candidates, or 5.95 percent, are still being processed. Additionally, 1,213 candidates with special needs registered for the examination, comprising 137 visually impaired candidates, 491 candidates with hearing impairments, 55 spastic and mentally challenged candidates, and 41 physically challenged candidates. The council has withheld the results of 167,486 candidates, representing 8.59 percent of those who sat for the examination, due to alleged examination malpractice. This figure is lower than the 9.7 percent recorded in the previous year. Explaining the reasons behind the withheld results, Dr. Dangut stated: 'The increasing use of cell phones in the examination hall, despite the existing ban, and organised cheating in some schools are other nagging issues.' He further disclosed that some supervisors and invigilators who allegedly aided examination malpractice have been arrested and will face disciplinary action through the relevant state ministries of education.