Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
The West African Examinations Council (WAEC) has released the results of the 2026 Computer‑Based West African Senior School Certificate Examination (CB‑WASSCE) for private candidates in Nigeria, revealing that only 32.72 per cent of candidates who sat for the exams achieved credits in at least five subjects, including English Language and Mathematics. This benchmark remains a key requirement for further education and many employment opportunities. The council also confirmed that the results of 75 candidates have been withheld due to suspected examination malpractice, with investigations ongoing.
The examination, conducted nationwide from January 28 to February 14, 2026, saw 10,480 private candidates registered at 166 centres. Of these, 5,106 were male and 5,374 were female, including 43 candidates with special needs who were provided with appropriate accommodations.
Out of the total number of candidates, 3,429 met the benchmark of obtaining five credits including English and Mathematics, representing 32.72 per cent of examinees. This reflects a modest improvement over previous years, where the pass rates were 30.95 per cent in 2024 and 26.96 per cent in 2025. WAEC attributed the improvement to better candidate preparation and the council’s ongoing efforts to enhance the conduct of examinations.
In addition to the core pass rate, 43.87 per cent of candidates obtained credits in at least five subjects irrespective of English and Mathematics. The council emphasized that the withheld results of 75 candidates, representing approximately 0.72 per cent of all examinees, were due to suspected irregularities. These cases are under review, and decisions will be communicated to affected candidates upon completion of investigations.
Furthermore, 2,062 candidates still have some subject results under processing due to errors or discrepancies in their registration details or other verification issues. Once these are resolved, their results will be released. A total of 8,418 candidates, or 80.32 per cent, have had their results fully processed and released.
Examination malpractice continues to be a significant concern for WAEC. The council maintains strict regulations that allow it to withhold or cancel results in cases of cheating, impersonation, or other forms of irregularity. These measures are aimed at preserving the credibility of WAEC certificates and maintaining public confidence in the examination system.
Education stakeholders have reacted with mixed views. While some welcome the improvement in pass rates and the transition to computer-based testing, others remain concerned that a pass rate below one-third for the essential benchmark of five credits including English and Mathematics indicates systemic challenges in teaching quality, student preparation, and resource allocation.
Parents, educators, and policymakers are expected to use the results to guide reforms in curriculum delivery, student support, and examination readiness. The outcomes of the malpractice investigations will also inform future strategies to uphold examination integrity.
Candidates affected by withheld results are advised to monitor WAEC’s official platforms for updates and to complete any necessary procedures to access their digital and printed certificates once finalised.
As WAEC continues to release results and investigate malpractice, the education community will closely follow the implications of the 2026 CB-WASSCE performance and its impact on academic standards and post-secondary opportunities in the region.
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