Schools Question 2026 WASSCE Results as WAEC Denies Glitches, Says Malpractice Rate Fell to 8.59%

Several Nigerian schools have raised concerns over the 2026 West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) results, questioning unexpectedly low grades recorded by some of their previously high-performing students, particularly in English Language and Mathematics.

The concerns, echoed by parents and other education stakeholders, have centred on alleged technical glitches and possible irregularities in the processing of results under the newly introduced computer-based examination format. Some schools reportedly said the results did not correspond with the affected students' academic records, mock examination performances, or previous academic achievements, prompting calls for the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) to review the results in question.

However, the Head of the Nigeria National Office (HNO) of WAEC, Dr Amos Dangut, has dismissed suggestions that technical glitches affected the 2026 results, insisting that the examination body's marking, processing, and moderation procedures remained credible throughout the process.

Speaking during a virtual dialogue organised by the Education Writers Association of Nigeria (EWAN), themed "Addressing Concerns over 2026 WASSCE Results, Other Matters," Dangut acknowledged the concerns raised by schools and parents but urged stakeholders to seek clarification directly from the council rather than relying on unverified claims circulating on social media.

According to Dangut, WAEC introduced several major innovations into the conduct of this year's examination, including computer-based assessment, as well as randomisation and serialisation of questions, as part of broader efforts to strengthen the overall integrity of the WASSCE. He said the transition to this technology-driven assessment format had also contributed directly to a measurable reduction in examination malpractice, with the malpractice rate falling from 9.7 per cent in 2025 to 8.59 per cent in 2026, a decline of about 1.1 percentage points.

Dangut described the reduction in malpractice as one of the clear positive outcomes of the reforms WAEC has introduced. "I can confidently tell the whole world that WAEC examination did not leak," he said, arguing that the tighter examination security measures had made it significantly more difficult for cybercriminals and operators of fraudulent websites to obtain and circulate examination papers ahead of sittings.

He suggested that candidates who had previously relied on examination malpractice to boost their performance may consequently have recorded poorer outcomes under the stricter, technology-driven system now in place, offering this as a possible explanation for some of the unexpectedly low results schools have flagged.

Despite defending the overall integrity of the results, Dangut acknowledged that the transition to new examination technology had not been without its challenges. He described the situation as a "two-edged sword," noting that while the reforms had strengthened examination security, some stakeholders had found it difficult to adjust to the changes introduced this year.

He also addressed separate concerns raised over logistical difficulties reported at some examination centres, where candidates were reportedly forced to sit for their examinations until late in the day, acknowledging that such operational issues had featured among the challenges accompanying the shift to computer-based testing.

The dispute over the 2026 WASSCE results reflects broader tensions that have accompanied Nigeria's ongoing push toward digitising its major public examinations, with WAEC's introduction of computer-based testing this year mirroring similar reform efforts already under way at other examination bodies, including the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), as authorities work to strengthen examination security and reduce malpractice nationwide. While WAEC maintains that this year's results accurately reflect stricter, more secure examination conditions, the concerns raised by affected schools suggest the transition has left some stakeholders seeking further clarity on how individual student results were processed and moderated under the new system.

As of the time of this report, WAEC had not announced any formal review process for schools or candidates who believe their results were inaccurately processed, though Dangut's remarks suggest the council remains open to engaging directly with stakeholders seeking clarification on specific concerns, rather than through unverified claims circulating online.