WAEC Withheld Results: 80% May Lose 2024 Admission
Due to the ongoing retention of certain results by the West African Examination Council (WAEC), Hon. Chinedu Ogah, the Member representing Ikwo/Ezza South Federal Constituency of Ebonyi State, stated on Wednesday that almost 80 percent of Nigerian youths who took the examination may miss out on admission to tertiary institutions this year.
In a statement made in Abakaliki, Ogah urged WAEC to promptly release the results of candidates whose results were withheld in the 2025 West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) because of alleged malpractice, cautioning that the organization is hindering the educational aspirations of young Nigerians.
It should be noted that the federal lawmaker had previously given WAEC a seven-day deadline to publish the results of 192,089 candidates, which accounts for 9.75 percent of all candidates whose results were held due to suspected examination malpractice in 2025, or face a lawsuit for ₦50 million.
He pointed out that the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has already announced its results and that admissions are currently in progress; however, many candidates are unable to secure placements as their results for English Language and Mathematics remain unfinalized.
“Keeping results pending until now is unconstitutional, and this situation only occurs in Nigeria. Stakeholders, particularly those who assist orphans and vulnerable individuals in taking the SSCE, are extremely dissatisfied with this ongoing issue that jeopardizes the hopes of our youth,” Ogah remarked.
The lawmaker referenced the WAEC Act, Cap W4, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004, which gives authority to the examination body “to administer examinations in the public interest, grade them, and issue certificates,” emphasizing that the Council does not have the authority to indefinitely withhold results following the conduct of the exams.
Ogah, who serves as the House Chairman on Reformatory Institutions, reminded the Council of its fundamental responsibilities as defined in its founding legislation.
He stated, “The West African Examinations Council (WAEC) is mandated to be the leading examining body in the region, responsible for administering examinations prioritizing the public interest, conducting those exams, granting international certificates, and delivering quality educational assessment and moral instruction to West African nations.
“The organization is tasked with establishing and managing pertinent examinations for Anglophone West African nations. It is responsible for awarding certificates comparable to those from equivalent international entities.
“It must provide trustworthy educational assessments and promote both academic and moral excellence, while aiding human resource development and international collaboration and maintaining high educational standards across the region.”
Ogah contended that withholding results without concrete evidence of malpractice is a violation of this mandate and infringes on the rights of candidates who took the examination with integrity.
Dr. Amos Dangut, WAEC’s Head of National Office (HNO), had declared the overall release of this year’s results but indicated that the results of the 192,089 candidates remain held pending investigation.
However, Ogah urged the Council to fulfill its obligations, warning that continued delays would diminish the admission prospects for candidates and could potentially steer many towards criminal activities and other social issues.
“This situation is intolerable. WAEC needs to release the results for these candidates without further delay, as their futures are on the line,” he added, urging the Minister of Education to establish a committee to look into the matter.
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