WAEC 2026: 1.2 Million Candidates Pass as Over 167,000 Results Withheld
The West African Examinations Council (WAEC) has announced that approximately 1.2 million candidates obtained the minimum pass requirements in the 2026 West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE), while more than 167,000 results have been withheld over allegations of examination malpractice.
The examination body disclosed the outcome during the official release of the 2026 WASSCE results, stating that the withheld results are subject to ongoing investigations and will be reviewed in line with WAEC's established procedures.
According to WAEC, the majority of candidates who sat for the examination successfully met the benchmark for admission into tertiary institutions, reflecting a strong performance in this year's examination.
However, the Council expressed concern over the number of cases involving suspected examination malpractice, which led to the withholding of more than 167,000 results pending the conclusion of investigations.
WAEC explained that candidates whose results have been withheld will be given fair consideration, adding that all reported malpractice cases will be thoroughly examined before final decisions are made.
The Council also announced that candidates can access their results online through the WAEC Result Checker Portal within 12 hours of the official release.
In addition, WAEC stated that hard copies of certificates for successful candidates will be produced and made available to schools after the necessary processing period.
Candidates were advised to use only the official WAEC platform to check their results and avoid fraudulent websites or individuals claiming to offer result upgrades or alteration services.
Education stakeholders have welcomed the timely release of the results, noting that it will enable candidates to proceed with university admissions and other academic plans without unnecessary delays.
However, they also urged students to uphold academic integrity, stressing that examination malpractice undermines the credibility of Nigeria's education system and the value of academic qualifications.
Parents and school administrators have been encouraged to support efforts aimed at promoting honesty and discipline during examinations while preparing students adequately through legitimate learning methods.
The release of the 2026 WASSCE results comes as thousands of candidates across Nigeria and other West African countries prepare for admissions into universities, polytechnics, colleges of education, and other higher institutions.
Candidates whose results have been withheld are advised to remain patient while WAEC completes its investigations, as the Council has assured that all cases will be handled fairly and in accordance with its examination regulations.
With over one million successful candidates and ongoing efforts to maintain the integrity of public examinations, WAEC says it remains committed to conducting credible assessments that meet international standards.
Students can check their results using their examination number and the required result checker PIN through the official WAEC result portal.