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WASSCE: Finally, WAEC Opens Up on Mass Seizure of Results in Nigeria; www.waecdirect.org

The apex examination body, the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) has revealed why it withheld the results of candidates for the 2026 WASSCE

According to the council, investigations are ongoing to uncover the entire candidates involved in malpractice

The council said upon the conclusion of investigations, the non-guilty candidates will see their results

Yaba – The West African Examinations Council (WAEC) has finally opened up on the mass seizure of results of the 2026 WASSCE.

Patrick Areghan, WAEC’s head at the national office made this known on Thursday, September 15.

He debunked media reports stating that the examination body deliberately withheld the results of candidates that participated in the exam.

Areghan said: “Our attention has been drawn to reports in some quarters of how the council was deliberately withholding results of candidates of some states in the country. “This, I will say, is wicked, malicious, misleading, and a calculated attempt to drag the name of the council into the mud or disrepute. It is utter ignorance.

He reiterated that information getting to the council shows that there were alleged malpractices in some schools across the federation.

Areghan said the council took it upon itself to conduct investigations and will see to it that those that are found guilty are properly dealt with, while the non-guilty will be vindicated at the end of the investigation.

Stakeholders threaten legal suit against WAEC Meanwhile, there is information in some quarters that some stakeholders are working on filing a lawsuit against the examination council for their actions.

Areghan in his reaction to the lawsuit said it was totally not necessary stating that the council is still willing and ready to maintain its good relationship with stakeholders.

He said the council has all the necessary in its possession to back its action and claims if the need is to appear before the court.

Areghan said the council will not bend its rules or standard for any stakeholder.

“We stand by our rules and regulations. We will always apply the same set of laws all over the country, no matter what it takes or who is involved.

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“We will never apply different sets of laws for different states in the country, or give any preferential treatment to any candidate, school, or state for that matter,” Areghan added

WAEC bars 35 schools in Rivers state for malpractice In another development, no fewer than 35 schools have been barred from operation by the West African Secondary School Certificate Examination (WASSCE).

This was announced by the Rivers state ministry of education after it forwarded letters of notification to the affected schools.

As contained in the letter, schools barred from operations will not be eligible for registration of the forthcoming WASSCE.

Why Does WAEC Seize Results

The West African Examinations Council (WAEC) is the primary body responsible for conducting the Senior School Certificate Examination (SSCE) across several West African nations. When a candidate checks their portal and finds that their result is “withheld,” it serves as a formal notification that the examination body has suspended the release of that specific result pending further investigation.

Understanding why this happens is crucial for students, parents, and school administrators, as it is almost always linked to the integrity of the examination process.

The Core Reason: Suspected Examination Irregularities

The overarching reason WAEC withholds results is the suspicion or evidence of examination malpractice or irregularities. WAEC maintains a strict set of “Rules and Regulations for Dealing with Cases of Irregularity in the Council’s Examinations.” When these rules are breached, the council must pause the release of results to conduct a thorough audit.

Withholding a result is not necessarily an immediate conviction of guilt; it is a procedural step used by the council to investigate reports of misconduct at specific examination centers or involving specific candidates.

Common Triggers for Withheld Results

Mass Cheating: When an entire center shows an unusually high correlation in answers—often termed “collusion”—or if external reports indicate organized cheating occurred at a particular school, WAEC may withhold the results of all candidates at that center. This allows the council to investigate whether the school authorities or invigilators condoned or encouraged malpractice.
Possession of Prohibited Materials: Bringing unauthorized items into the examination hall is a direct violation. This includes mobile phones, smartwatches, programmable calculators, prepared notes, textbooks, or any printed material intended to give a candidate an undue advantage.
Collusion and Impersonation: This involves candidates passing notes, receiving assistance from others, or talking during the exam. Impersonation—where a different person sits for the exam on behalf of a registered candidate—is a severe offense that leads to the withholding of results for both the impersonator and the candidate.
Leakage and Foreknowledge: If it is established that examination questions were leaked or that candidates had access to the questions before the designated time, the council will withhold results for that subject at the affected centers to ensure the examination’s integrity remains uncompromised.
Irregular Conduct: Activities such as tearing answer booklets, refusing to submit scripts to the supervisor, or insulting/assaulting examination officials are recorded as irregularities, triggering an automatic withholding of results pending investigation.

The Investigation Process

When results are withheld, they are sent to the council’s appropriate committees—often the Nigeria Examinations Committee (NEC) or equivalent bodies in other member countries. These committees review reports from supervisors, invigilators, and external inspectors.

Exoneration: If the investigation proves that the suspicion was unfounded or that the candidate was not involved in the reported malpractice, the result is released.
Sanctions: If the committee finds evidence of malpractice, they apply the penalties prescribed in their regulations. Depending on the severity, this may result in:
- Cancellation of Subject Result: Only the result of the affected subject is invalidated.
- Cancellation of Entire Result: The entire performance of the candidate for that examination diet is invalidated.
- Banning: The candidate may be barred from sitting for future WAEC examinations for a period, typically ranging from one to two years.

What Should Candidates Do?

If a candidate’s result is withheld, the most effective approach is to remain patient while the council completes its due process.

Consult the School: The candidate should contact their school principal or the examination center’s coordinator. The school is typically the primary channel for communication regarding malpractice reports.
Monitor Official Updates: WAEC periodically releases the outcome of its committee meetings. Candidates should watch for official press releases from the council regarding the release of previously withheld results.
Avoid Rogue Websites: Candidates are strongly cautioned against “rogue websites” claiming they can “fix” or release withheld results for a fee. These are fraudulent operations that exploit the anxiety of students. Only the official WAEC portal and authorized communication channels should be trusted.

Ensuring Integrity

The withholding of results is a mechanism designed to protect the value of the certificate. Without these checks, the integrity of the examination would be undermined, which would negatively impact all candidates. By upholding these strict standards, WAEC ensures that the grades reflect the genuine academic ability of the students who participated in the process fairly.

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