2025 WASSCE: Only 38% Pass With Credits In Core Subjects

The West African Examinations Council (WAEC) has reported a significant drop in performance for the 2025 West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE), with only 38.32% of candidates earning credit passes in five subjects, including English Language and Mathematics.

Out of the 1,969,313 candidates who sat for the exam, just 754,545 met the minimum benchmark—a sharp 33.8% decline from the 72.12% pass rate recorded in 2024.

The figures were disclosed by Dr. Amos Dangut, Head of National Office at WAEC, during a press briefing on Monday. He described the outcome as worrying and a call for urgent educational reform.

Dr. Dangut also revealed that the results of 192,089 candidates—representing 9.75% of the total—are being withheld due to various forms of examination malpractice. Offenses ranged from the unauthorised use of mobile phones to cases of organised cheating in certain schools.

“All cases are being investigated and will be reviewed by the appropriate Committee of the Council. Affected candidates will be informed through their schools,” he said. “Candidates also have the option to appeal for redress in cases where they believe they were wrongly accused.”

Key Statistics from 2025 WASSCE:

• Total candidates who sat for the exam: 1,969,313
• Candidates with credit passes in 5 subjects (including English & Mathematics): 754,545 (38.32%)
  • Male candidates: 347,192 (46.01%)
  • Female candidates: 407,353 (53.99%)

The examination was conducted in Nigeria, Benin Republic, Côte d’Ivoire, and Equatorial Guinea—all countries that operate with the Nigerian curriculum. A total of 1,973,365 students from 23,554 schools registered, and 1,969,313 eventually sat for the exam.

WAEC reaffirmed its commitment to upholding exam integrity, warning that it will continue to take strong action against malpractice.

“The Council will not tolerate any compromise. Schools, supervisors, and teachers enabling this malpractice are sabotaging the education system. It’s time for collective action to clean up the system,” Dr. Dangut added.