The West African Examinations Council (WAEC) has acknowledged a noticeable decline in students’ pass rates in its most recent examination cycle, attributing the development to the introduction of stricter anti-malpractice measures aimed at preserving the integrity of its examinations across the sub-region.
In a statement released on Tuesday, WAEC emphasized that while the drop in performance may be concerning to some stakeholders, it is a positive indicator that the Council’s renewed focus on curbing exam malpractice is yielding results.
“The decline in the overall pass rate is not necessarily a negative trend. It reflects the effectiveness of our enhanced security measures, digital surveillance systems, and strict adherence to examination protocols,” said Dr. Amos Dangut, the Head of Nigeria National Office (HNO) of WAEC.
According to the Council, several measures were implemented during the examination period to reduce cheating. These included the deployment of advanced biometric verification, real-time monitoring of examination centres, the use of coded question papers to trace leaks, and the blacklisting of schools found to be involved in aiding and abetting malpractice.
WAEC noted that a significant number of results—especially those from centres with suspicious patterns—have been withheld pending further investigation. This, according to the Council, contributed to the lower pass rate announced.
Out of the total number of candidates who sat for the examination, only 61% obtained credits in five subjects, including English and Mathematics, compared to 73% in the previous year. This sharp drop has sparked mixed reactions among parents, educators, and education policy experts.
While some critics argue that the drop signals a decline in the quality of education, others commend WAEC for prioritizing integrity over inflated figures.
“This is the right step towards salvaging our educational system. For too long, malpractice has created a false sense of academic excellence. It’s time we face the reality and fix the root problems—poor teaching methods, inadequate learning infrastructure, and lack of student preparedness,” said Mrs. Racheal Adeniyi, an education consultant based in Lagos.
WAEC assured stakeholders that it remains committed to fairness and transparency, and will continue to improve its systems to ensure credible examinations. The Council also called on school administrators, teachers, parents, and government authorities to join hands in fostering a culture of honesty and diligence among students.
“We are not just fighting malpractice for punitive reasons; we are doing it to restore confidence in our certificates and help build a future where merit is rewarded,” Dr. Dangut added.
The Council is expected to publish a comprehensive report detailing the analysis of the results, cases of malpractice under investigation, and recommendations for further reforms in the coming weeks.
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