BREAKING: WASSCE 2025: Only 38.32% Passed, WAEC Records Worst Performance in Years
Students sitting exams
Out of the 1,969,313 candidates who sat for the 2025 West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE), only 754,545 representing 38.32%, secured credits and above in a minimum of five subjects, including English Language and Mathematics.
This was disclosed on Monday by the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) during the official release of the 2025 WASSCE results for school-based candidates, marking the worst performance recorded in many years.
The decline may be linked to logistical issues faced by the Council during the May examination period, when candidates were reportedly kept at centres late into the night.
According to WAEC, 1,973,365 candidates registered from 23,554 secondary schools across Nigeria, with 1,969,313 eventually sitting the examination.
Speaking at a press briefing at WAEC’s Lagos headquarters, the Head of Nigeria’s Office (HNO), Amos Dangut, reiterated that only 754,545 candidates achieved credit-level passes in at least five subjects, including English and Mathematics, the minimum requirement for admission into Nigerian tertiary institutions.
Of these, 347,192 candidates (46.01%) were male, while 407,353 (53.99%) were female.
The 38.32% pass rate represents a significant decline from previous years. In 2020, amid the global COVID-19 pandemic, 65.24% of candidates achieved similar results,despite widespread school closures and exam postponements. That figure was slightly lower than the 64.18% recorded in 2019. In 2023, 79.81% passed with credits in five core subjects including English and Mathematics, while the 2014 performance stood at 72.12%.
Mr Dangut noted:“A comparison of the percentage of candidates in this category in WASSCE for School Candidates in 2024 and 2025 reveals a 33.8% decline. In 2024, 72.12% of candidates obtained credits in at least five subjects, including English and Mathematics.”
The Council also stated that the 2025 examination was administered to candidates in affiliated schools in Benin Republic, Côte d’Ivoire, and Equatorial Guinea, where the Nigerian senior secondary curriculum is in use.
451,796 Results Still Being Processed
WAEC reported that 451,796 candidates, representing 22.94% of those who sat the exam, have one or more subjects still being processed due to unresolved issues.
Mr Dangut assured the public that efforts are underway to complete these processes and release the affected results “within a couple of days.”he stated.
He said results for 192,089 candidates (9.75%) are being withheld due to alleged examination malpractice. This is a slight improvement compared to the 11.92% of withheld results recorded in 2024.
Mr Dangut attributed the increase in malpractice cases to the growing use of mobile phones during examinations, despite the Council’s ban, and to coordinated cheating in some schools. He also condemned the role of rogue websites and syndicates, as well as the complicity of some supervisors.
“These unscrupulous elements have become a thorn in the Council’s flesh. They now go as far as composing fake messages in the name of the Council to deceive stakeholders. WAEC urges all stakeholders to join the fight against these practices and raise awareness of such fraudulent schemes.”he said.
He added that several offenders had been apprehended with the help of security agencies, and appropriate disciplinary action will be taken against culpable supervisors in collaboration with state ministries of education.
All cases of malpractice are under investigation, and final decisions will be made by the Nigeria Examinations Committee (NEC). Affected candidates will be notified through their schools. Candidates wishing to appeal may do so via: https://waecinternational.org/complaints
Additional Statistics
Of the total 1,973,365 candidates who sat for the examination:Males: 976,787 (49.60%),Females: 992,526 (50.40%)
A total of 12,178 candidates had special needs, including,112 visually impaired,615 with hearing impairments,52 with spastic or mental challenges and 37 physically challenged candidates.
Results Available in 12 Hours, Digital Certificates in 48
WAEC confirmed that results are being uploaded online. Candidates who have fulfilled their financial obligations can access their results via www.waecdirect.org within 12 hours. Digital certificates will be available within 48 hours.
Mr Dangut, however, stated that results for candidates sponsored by indebted state governments will not be released until those debts are settled.
He appealed to the affected states to clear their obligations so that students can access their results.
