The West African Examinations Council (WAEC) has released the 2026 Computer-Based West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) results, revealing that female candidates outperformed their male counterparts in the combined credit pass rate for English Language and Mathematics. The announcement was made on Wednesday, July 23, 2026, by the Head of WAEC's Nigeria National Office, Dr Amos Dangut, during a briefing in Lagos. This was his third and final official engagement in that role, as he prepares to step down.
Over 1.9 Million Candidates Sit the 2026 WASSCE
A total of 1,959,668 candidates from 24,207 schools registered for the examination across Nigeria, Benin Republic, Côte d'Ivoire, and Equatorial Guinea. Of these, 1,950,726 candidates actually sat for the exam, which ran from April 24 to June 19, 2026. The examination was the second edition of the Computer-Based WASSCE format, introduced to enhance efficiency and security.
Among the candidates who sat, 1,200,514 (61.54%) obtained credits and above in at least five subjects, including English Language and Mathematics. A broader group of 1,687,378 candidates (86.50%) secured credits in five subjects, with or without the two core papers.
Female Candidates Excel in Core Subjects
Breaking down the results by gender, 641,631 female candidates (32.89% of total candidates) achieved credits in both English and Mathematics, compared to 558,883 male candidates (28.65%). This marks a significant lead for female students in these critical subjects. Overall, 997,267 female candidates sat the exam, compared to 953,459 males, reflecting a higher female participation rate.
The combined credit pass rate in English and Maths saw a slight decline of 1.42 percentage points compared to the 2025 examination, indicating a marginal dip in performance in these core subjects.
Result Processing and Release
WAEC reported that 1,834,695 candidates (94.05%) had their results fully processed and released. However, 116,031 results (5.95%) were still being processed at the time of the announcement. The council also noted that results of candidates sponsored by states with outstanding payments to WAEC would remain withheld until those debts are cleared.
Malpractice Cases and Withheld Results
The council withheld the results of 167,486 candidates, representing 8.59% of those who sat the exam, over alleged examination malpractice. This figure is lower than the 9.7% recorded in 2025, indicating a slight improvement in curbing malpractice. Dr Dangut highlighted ongoing issues, stating, "The increasing use of cell phones in the examination hall, in spite of the existing ban, and organised cheating in some schools, are other nagging issues."
He added that supervisors and invigilators caught assisting candidates have been arrested and will face disciplinary action through the relevant state ministries of education. This move is part of WAEC's efforts to maintain the integrity of the examination process.
Support for Candidates with Special Needs
Among the 1,950,726 candidates who sat the exam, 1,213 had special needs. This includes 137 visually impaired candidates, 491 with hearing impairment, 55 described as spastic and mentally challenged, and 41 who are physically challenged. WAEC's commitment to inclusive education is evident in these provisions.
New Measures Introduced
For the 2026 examination, WAEC introduced several new measures to enhance the examination process. These include the Digital Examiner Mark System, serialisation of question papers, and a portal allowing candidates to generate e-PINs to check their results. The examination involved 102,708 examiners across 88 marking venues, ensuring a thorough and efficient marking process.
Implications and Next Steps
The release of the results marks a significant milestone for the 2026 academic year. Candidates are advised to check their results via the official WAEC portal using their e-PINs. For those whose results are withheld, WAEC has provided avenues for appeal and resolution. The council's focus on reducing malpractice and improving transparency is expected to continue in future examinations.
