2026 WAEC results: Official raises fresh concerns over irregularities, glitches

Outrage as WAEC WASSCE Exams Run Into Night, Trigger Fresh Concerns

2026 WAEC results: Official raises fresh concerns over irregularities, glitches

The controversy surrounding the 2026 WAEC results has intensified after an official of the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) raised concerns over alleged irregularities and technical glitches linked to the examination and result-processing process.

The development has renewed questions about the credibility of the 2026 West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) results, with candidates, parents, schools and education stakeholders seeking clarification over reported discrepancies.

The concerns were reportedly raised by Olanrewaju Fadehan, Head of Examinations at the WAEC office covering Anambra State, in a video that has circulated on social media.

Fadehan reportedly highlighted concerns about possible technical challenges and irregularities, adding to complaints from some candidates and schools about unexpected grades in the recently released results.

The allegations are significant because the 2026 WASSCE comes amid WAEC’s increased adoption of Computer-Based Testing (CBT) as part of its move towards digital examinations.

The transition required schools to invest heavily in computer laboratories, internet connectivity and other infrastructure needed to support the new examination format.

Some education stakeholders have, however, raised questions about whether technical difficulties experienced during the transition could have affected some candidates.

Fadehan reportedly referred to concerns over candidates’ performances in some subjects, including Igbo, where some schools and stakeholders have questioned results that they considered unexpectedly poor.

The development has prompted renewed calls for WAEC to explain how candidates’ answers were processed, marked and standardised before the results were released.

Some schools have also expressed concern over sharp differences between candidates’ previous academic performances and the grades contained in their 2026 WAEC results.

READ ALSO:

The concerns have particularly attracted attention where schools believe that candidates who consistently performed well during internal assessments received unexpectedly low grades in the examination.

The adoption of CBT has become a central part of the discussion, with some schools reportedly investing substantial amounts of money to prepare for the new examination system.

Some institutions reportedly spent millions of naira on computer facilities and related infrastructure ahead of the examination.

While the transition to digital testing is expected to improve examination security, efficiency and transparency, stakeholders have argued that technical challenges must not disadvantage candidates.

The latest allegations have therefore increased calls for WAEC to establish a transparent process for investigating complaints and correcting any result affected by a genuine technical or administrative error.

Some education groups have previously called for an independent review of the 2026 WAEC results, citing complaints from candidates, parents and schools.

The Initiative for School Excellence and Education Foundation had also threatened legal action over concerns about the results and demanded greater transparency from the examination body.

WAEC, however, has maintained that the examination and result-processing exercise followed established procedures.

The council has previously urged candidates, parents, schools and members of the public to disregard unverified claims circulating on social media and rely on official information.

WAEC’s Head of Public Affairs, Moyosola Adesina, said the examination was conducted in accordance with the council’s established procedures and relevant education policies.

The examination body has also defended the integrity of its assessment processes and indicated that results are subjected to quality-control measures before publication.

The latest concerns from an examination official are nevertheless likely to increase pressure on WAEC to provide further explanations, particularly on the specific technical issues and alleged irregularities being reported.

For candidates, the issue is particularly important because WAEC results are required for admission into many Nigerian universities, polytechnics, colleges of education and other tertiary institutions.

An unexpectedly low grade or an incorrect result could affect a candidate’s eligibility for admission or force them to sit for another examination.

Parents and schools are therefore calling for any legitimate complaints to be investigated promptly and for affected candidates to receive appropriate remedies where errors are established.

The controversy also highlights the challenges associated with Nigeria’s growing reliance on computer-based examinations.

Digital testing can offer significant advantages, including faster processing, stronger examination security and reduced opportunities for certain forms of malpractice. However, the system also requires reliable infrastructure, adequate technical support and effective contingency measures.

Stakeholders have consequently urged examination authorities to ensure that technical problems do not undermine candidates’ performances or the credibility of examination results.

For now, the reported irregularities remain allegations, and WAEC has not formally acknowledged that systemic failures affected the overall 2026 results.

The examination body is expected to face continued calls for clarification as affected candidates and schools seek answers to their complaints.

The outcome of any review or investigation will be closely watched by candidates, parents, schools and the wider education community, particularly as the 2026 WAEC results play an important role in determining the next academic steps of thousands of Nigerian students.