The West African Examinations Council (WAEC) has recently released the results for the 2026 First Series of the Computer-Based WASSCE for private candidates. Prior to this announcement, expectations were high as the examination was conducted from January 28 to February 14, 2026, with many candidates eager to see how they performed.
This year, a total of 10,523 candidates registered for the examination, marking an 11.49% increase from 2025. Out of these, 10,480 candidates sat for the examination across 166 centres nationwide. The results revealed that only 30.95% of candidates obtained credit or above in at least five subjects, including English Language and Mathematics.
Specifically, 4,598 candidates achieved credits in five subjects, while 3,429 candidates managed to secure credits that included both English and Mathematics. Additionally, 8,418 candidates (80.32%) had fully processed results, whereas 2,062 candidates (19.68%) had some subjects still under processing.
Unfortunately, 75 candidates had their results withheld due to alleged examination malpractice, a situation that has raised concerns among stakeholders. WAEC has indicated that investigations are ongoing, and decisions regarding these cases will be communicated directly to the affected candidates.
According to WAEC, the swift processing of results can be attributed to their growing reliance on digital examination systems. This shift has not only streamlined operations but has also improved the overall efficiency of result processing.
Moreover, provisions were made for candidates with special needs during the examination, with 43 such candidates registered, including those who are visually and hearing impaired. Moyosola Adesina, a WAEC spokesperson, confirmed that adequate measures were taken to ensure these candidates had a conducive examination environment.
The marking of scripts was conducted at three venues: Lagos, Enugu, and Kaduna, with 608 examiners participating in the coordination and marking exercise. This collaborative effort highlights WAEC’s commitment to maintaining high standards in the examination process.
As the education sector continues to evolve, the implications of these results will be closely monitored by educators, students, and policymakers alike. The portal for candidates to access their results is available at https://certrequest.waec.ng/.
Overall, the 2026 WASSCE results reflect both the challenges and achievements faced by candidates, with the examination body striving to enhance the integrity and accessibility of the examination process.