The Member representing Ikwo/Ezza South Federal Constituency of Ebonyi State, Hon. Chinedu Ogah, has raised alarm that nearly 80 percent of Nigerian youths who sat for the 2025 West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) may lose admission into tertiary institutions due to the West African Examinations Council’s (WAEC) continued withholding of results.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, Ogah urged WAEC to immediately release the results of 192,089 candidates—about 9.75 percent of the total candidates—currently withheld over allegations of examination malpractice. He warned that the Council’s delay is jeopardising the educational dreams of young Nigerians.
The lawmaker recalled that he had earlier given WAEC a seven-day ultimatum to release the results or face a ₦50 million lawsuit. He noted that while the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has already commenced admissions, many candidates are unable to secure placements because their English Language and Mathematics results remain pending.
“Keeping results pending up to now is unconstitutional, and this anomaly only happens in Nigeria,” Ogah said. “Stakeholders, especially those who sponsor orphans and vulnerable students, are deeply worried about this recurring issue that is killing the hopes of our young people.”
Ogah cited the WAEC Act, Cap W4, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004, which mandates the examination body to conduct examinations, mark scripts, and award certificates in the public interest. He stressed that WAEC has no legal authority to indefinitely withhold results after exams have been conducted.
As Chairman of the House Committee on Reformatory Institutions, Ogah reminded WAEC of its core responsibility of ensuring reliable educational assessment across Anglophone West African countries, awarding internationally comparable certificates, and upholding academic and moral excellence.
“Withholding results without immediate and verifiable evidence of malpractice constitutes a breach of WAEC’s mandate and violates the rights of innocent candidates,” he stated.
WAEC’s Head of National Office, Dr. Amos Dangut, had earlier confirmed the release of the bulk of this year’s results but noted that the 192,089 results remain under investigation.
Ogah, however, insisted that further delays would not only ruin candidates’ admission chances but also expose many young people to crime and other social vices.
“This is unacceptable,” he warned. “WAEC should release these results without delay because the future of these candidates is at stake.”
He also called on the Minister of Education to urgently set up a committee to investigate the matter and ensure fairness for all affected candidates.
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