WAEC Disowns Viral List Of 151 Schools Allegedly Linked To Withheld 2025 WASSCE Results

The West African Examinations Council (WAEC) has distanced itself from a viral list circulating online, which falsely claims that 151 secondary schools had their 2025 WASSCE results withheld over examination malpractice.

Following Monday’s announcement of the May/June 2025 WASSCE results where WAEC revealed that 192,089 candidates (9.75%) had their results withheld for alleged malpractice—an unofficial letter began making rounds. The letter, dated August 4, 2025, purportedly signed by Dr. Florence Ajayi, Director of Examination Malpractice and Irregularities, instructed principals of the listed schools to report to WAEC’s Lagos Zonal Office within 10 working days with exam scripts and documentation.

However, WAEC, through its official X (formerly Twitter) handle @waecnigeria, categorically dismissed the letter as fake. The examination body emphasized that no such directive had been issued, urging the public to disregard any messages not published on its verified platforms.

“Kindly ignore any message listing schools whose results were supposedly cancelled. WAEC will never ask any centre to bring scripts of candidates to the office. Where would they get them from? Do not accept any message that is not on our handles and accredited media,” the statement read.

Meanwhile, Monday’s official result release by WAEC’s National Office Head, Dr. Amos Dangut, painted a troubling picture of declining performance. Only 38.32% of the 1,969,313 candidates secured credits and above in five subjects, including English Language and Mathematics, a sharp drop from the 72.12% pass rate in 2024.

Dr. Dangut attributed this significant decline to stricter anti-malpractice measures that WAEC had enforced during the 2025 examinations, suggesting a deliberate crackdown on cheating and other irregularities.

The viral misinformation has since ignited debates over the transparency of result withholding procedures and the need for the public to verify information through official channels.