61.54% of Candidates Pass 2026 WAEC with 5 Credits, 38.46% Fail to Meet Required Benchmark

The West African Examinations Council (WAEC) has announced that 61.54 per cent of candidates who sat the 2026 West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) for School Candidates obtained five credits and above, including English Language and Mathematics.

So, the remaining 38.46% indicate the number of candidates who failed to achieve the required benchmark, as they could not obtain credits in five subjects, including the two core subjects needed for many tertiary institution admission processes.

WAEC HNO, Dr Amos Dangut, disclosed this on Wednesday during a press briefing at the council’s headquarters in Yaba, Lagos, where he announced the release of the examination results.

WAEC said 1,959,668 candidates from 24,207 schools registered for the examination, while 1,950,726 candidates eventually sat for the test conducted between April 24 and June 19, 2026.

According to the council, 1,200,514 candidates, representing 61.54 per cent of those who sat the examination, obtained credits in at least five subjects, including English Language and Mathematics. The performance recorded a 1.42 per cent decline compared with the 2025 WASSCE results.

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The examination body disclosed that female candidates recorded a higher success rate, with 641,631 females representing 32.89 per cent of candidates who achieved the benchmark, while 558,883 males accounted for 28.65 per cent.

The council also highlighted the need to address learning gaps among students, particularly in key subjects where candidates continue to experience challenges.

WAEC further disclosed that 1,834,695 candidates, representing 94.05 per cent of those who sat the examination, had their results fully processed and released, while 116,031 candidates, representing 5.95 per cent, were still awaiting completion of processing due to unresolved issues.

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Dangut assured affected candidates that efforts were ongoing to conclude the processing and release the remaining results within a few days.

He added that candidates sponsored by state governments owing outstanding debts to WAEC would not be able to access their results until the affected governments settle their financial obligations.

“The results of candidates who are sponsored by states indebted to the Council will not be released now until payment is made,” Dangut said, urging concerned state governments to clear their debts so students can access their results.

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WAEC also announced that the results of 167,486 candidates, representing 8.59 per cent of the total candidates, were withheld over alleged examination malpractice.

According to the council, the affected cases were being investigated by the Nigeria Examinations Committee before final decisions would be taken.

Dangut added that some supervisors and invigilators accused of aiding examination malpractice had also been apprehended and would face appropriate sanctions.

Candidates whose results have been released and whose financial obligations have been fulfilled can access their results through WAEC’s official result portal and apply for their digital certificates.