LAGOS, Nigeria — The West African Examinations Council, WAEC, announced on Monday, August 12, 2024, that the results of 215,267 candidates from the 2024 West African Senior School Certificate Examination, WASSCE, have been withheld due to reported cases of examination malpractice.
This figure represents 11.92 percent of the 1,805,216 students who participated in the examination.
The 2024 WASSCE, which ran from April 30 to June 24, saw over 1.8 million candidates sit for the exam across more than 25,000 secondary schools in Nigeria.
The results were released on August 12, with 93.39 percent of them processed and available for viewing.
However, the results for a significant number of candidates remain withheld as investigations into allegations of malpractice continue.
During a press briefing in Lagos, Amos Dangut, Head of the Nigeria Office at WAEC, addressed the media, explaining the Council’s decision to withhold the results.
“This year, we have seen a reduction in the percentage of withheld results compared to the previous year, but the challenge of examination malpractice persists,” he said.
In 2023, WAEC had withheld 16.29 percent of the results due to similar issues.
Dr Dangut emphasized WAEC’s commitment to upholding the integrity of the examination process. “The Council will continue to penalize all instances of examination malpractice,” he stated, noting that the actions of those who attempt to cheat the system compromise the educational standards in the region.
He further highlighted the collective responsibility of schools, supervisors, teachers, and candidates in maintaining the credibility of the exams.
Despite these challenges, there was positive news for the majority of candidates.
Dr Dangut disclosed that 73.79 per cent of those who took the exam achieved a credit or higher in at least five subjects.
This figure includes 1,332,089 candidates and reflects a significant achievement for students across the country.
“This is a testament to the hard work and dedication of our students and educators,” Dr. Dangut remarked.
As the results become available online, WAEC has urged candidates to utilize the digital platforms provided to check their results and apply for their Digital Certificates.
“Candidates who have fulfilled their financial obligations to the Council can access their results on the Council’s results website within the next 12 hours,” Dr Dangut advised.
“Copies of the result Listing will be sent to schools shortly.”
The withholding of results due to malpractice is a recurring issue for WAEC, which continues to strive for fairness in its examination processes.
While the reduction in withheld results compared to previous years is a step in the right direction, the problem remains significant, impacting a large number of candidates and raising concerns about the prevalence of cheating in the educational system.
The release of the 2024 WASSCE results marks another critical moment for students across West Africa, as the examination serves as a key determinant for further educational opportunities.
WAEC’s ongoing efforts to combat malpractice and ensure the integrity of its exams will be closely watched as the region continues to grapple with the challenges of maintaining academic standards.
