The West African Examinations Council (WAEC) has officially released the results of the 2026 West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE), revealing a pass rate of 62.5% – a slight decline from the 63.2% recorded in 2025. The announcement was made on Wednesday by the Head of National Office (HNO) of WAEC Nigeria, Dr. Amos Dangut, during a press briefing in Lagos.
Key Findings and Statistics
According to Dr. Dangut, a total of 1,523,456 candidates sat for the exam, out of which 951,234 candidates obtained credit passes in at least five subjects, including English Language and Mathematics. This represents 62.5% of the total candidates, compared to 63.2% in 2025. The slight decrease has been attributed to challenges faced during the examination period, including logistical issues in some remote areas.
The results also show that 78.4% of candidates scored credit passes in English Language, while 70.2% achieved credit passes in Mathematics. In the sciences, Physics recorded a 65.8% pass rate, Chemistry 68.1%, and Biology 72.3%. These figures indicate a relatively stable performance in core subjects, with slight variations from the previous year.
Analysis of Performance by Gender and Region
In terms of gender, female candidates outperformed their male counterparts, with a pass rate of 64.1% compared to 61.2% for males. This marks the third consecutive year that female candidates have achieved higher pass rates in the WASSCE. Regionally, the South-West geopolitical zone recorded the highest pass rate at 71.3%, followed by the South-East at 68.7%, while the North-East had the lowest at 48.9%.
Dr. Dangut noted that the council is working with state governments and education stakeholders to address the regional disparities, particularly in the North-East, where insecurity and school closures have disrupted learning. He emphasized that WAEC is committed to ensuring that every candidate has a fair chance to succeed.
How to Check Results
Candidates can access their results online via the WAEC result-checking portal at www.waecdirect.org. To check the results, candidates are required to enter their examination number, year of examination, and the PIN found on their result checker scratch card. The PIN can be purchased from accredited vendors or via mobile money platforms.
Dr. Dangut also warned candidates to be wary of fake result-checking websites and to only use the official WAEC portal. He added that the council has introduced a new feature that allows candidates to download a digital copy of their results, which can be used for admissions and employment purposes.
Impact on Education and Admissions
The release of the WASSCE results marks a critical milestone for students seeking admission into tertiary institutions in Nigeria and across West Africa. With the 62.5% pass rate, many candidates now have the opportunity to apply for university, polytechnic, or college of education placements. Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) officials have indicated that the results will be used for the upcoming admission process, and students are encouraged to begin their applications promptly.
Education analysts have expressed mixed reactions to the results. While some praise the stability in performance, others call for more investment in education infrastructure and teacher training to improve outcomes, especially in underserved regions. The Federal Ministry of Education has pledged to work with WAEC and other stakeholders to ensure that the quality of education continues to improve.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the 2026 WASSCE results have been released with a pass rate of 62.5%, reflecting a slight decline from the previous year. The results are now available online, and candidates are advised to check them promptly. As the nation looks forward to the next academic year, the focus remains on improving educational standards and ensuring that all students have the opportunity to succeed.
