WAEC introduces variations of papers for 2025 WASSCE exams – Newstrends
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WAEC introduces variations of papers for 2025 WASSCE exams

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WAEC introduces variations of papers for 2025 WASSCE exams

The West African Examinations Council, WAEC, has announced the introduction of paper variations for the 2025 West African Senior School Certificate Examination WASSCE, to curb examination malpractice.

This new examination format, which will see candidates receive unique questions, will be implemented for the first time during the WASSCE scheduled to take place from April 24 to June 20, 2025.

Addressing the media at WAEC national office in Yaba, Lagos, yesterday, Dr. Amos Dangut, the Head of the Nigeria National Office, expressed the council’s commitment to integrating modern technology in examination administration.

“As an organization that believes in the use of modern Information and Communications Technology, we are excited to introduce Computer-based WASSCE for school candidates.

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“From this year onwards, no two candidates will have the same questions, which is a significant step towards upholding academic integrity,’’ he said.

The 2025 examination will accommodate a staggering 1,973,253 candidates from 23,554 schools, with a gender distribution of 979,228 males and 994,025 females.

This marks an increase in both male and female participants, compared to previous years.

“The statistics indicate a continued growth in female participation, which is encouraging,” Dr. Dangut noted.

To enhance the registration process, the National Identification Number, NIN has been incorporated as a component.

However, Dr. Dangut emphasised that it was not mandatory at the initial stage, to facilitate easier registration.

He explained:  “We wanted to ensure all candidates could access the registration portal without unnecessary barriers.’’

On security concerns, Dangut acknowledged the challenges posed by insecurity in the country, saying “we cannot ignore the realities of conducting examinations amid insecurity.

‘’In the previous WASSCE, we faced threats in certain areas but we managed to ensure that examinations continued safely.’’

He highlighted WAEC’s partnership with the Nigeria Police Force and various state governments to bolster security during the examination period.

While reiterating WAEC’s zero-tolerance policy towards examination malpractice, Dangut warned: “We are committed to decisively dealing with any form of examination fraud.  The penalties for involvement in malpractice will be strictly enforced to maintain the integrity of our examinations.”

WAEC introduces variations of papers for 2025 WASSCE exams

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UTME: Father of candidate who committed suicide over low score speaks

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11 hours ago

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May 16, 2025

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Opesusi Timilehin

UTME: Father of candidate who committed suicide over low score speaks

A 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) candidate committed suicide on account of her low score.

The Lagos candidate, now identified as Faith Opesusi, was said to have scored 146 out of 400 points.

The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) released the results for its 2025 UTME on May 9.

An analysis revealed that more than 78 per cent of candidates scored less than 200 points out of the 400 maximum obtainable points.

The metrics, believed to have signalled mass failure, spurred protests from candidates who challenged the integrity of the exam.

Oluwafemi Opesusi, Faith’s father, said his distraught daughter took a liquid substance that led to her death after checking her result.

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In an interview with BBC, Oluwafemi said his 19-year-old daughter wanted to study Microbiology but the dream was cut short.

He said JAMB did not release the original result of his late daughter.

Oluwafemi said his daughter was devastated and disappointed after seeing her result.

“She had a high score in 2024 UTME. This year, she was given 146. The pain of it drove her to commit suicide,” he said.

The father said he would have tried to console his daughter if she had opened up about her trauma.

He added that the family was disappointed that her daughter had taken her own life.

On May 14, JAMB admitted that a technical error in Lagos and south-east states compromised UTME results across 157 centres.

A teary-eyed Ishaq Oloyede apologised to the affected candidates and Nigerians in a televised conference on May 14.

The JAMB registrar said the error, caused by one of its service providers, affected nearly 380,000 candidates.

These candidates, he added, will now be made to resit the examination between May 15 and May 19, 2025.

As of this reporting, JAMB has yet to directly address the Faith Opesusi case.

UTME: Father of candidate who committed suicide over low score speaks

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UTME: BON praises JAMB registrar for admitting result errors

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13 hours ago

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May 16, 2025

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Registrar, Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), Prof. Ishaq Oloyede

UTME: BON praises JAMB registrar for admitting result errors

The Broadcasting Organisations of Nigeria (BON) has commended the Registrar of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), Professor Is-haq Oloyede, for his demonstration of transparency and accountability following the recently concluded 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME).

In a statement signed by its Executive Secretary, Dr. Yemisi Bamgbose, BON lauded Professor Oloyede for openly admitting to human and technical errors that affected the examination process, while taking personal responsibility for the mishap. BON described this gesture as a rare display of integrity and courage that sets a benchmark for leadership in public office.

“Professor Oloyede’s acknowledgment of the challenges and his willingness to address them reflect exemplary courage and a commitment to accountability,” the statement read.

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The organization further praised the proactive measures taken by JAMB to rectify the issues, including the rescheduling of exams for students affected by technical glitches. BON noted that this decision underlines JAMB’s sincerity in ensuring fairness and equal opportunity for all candidates pursuing higher education.

BON also acknowledged the collaborative efforts between JAMB and the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) to effectively manage the situation, describing it as a commendable demonstration of institutional cooperation.

The group called on public officials to emulate such transparency and accountability, emphasizing that such virtues are essential for building trust and projecting a positive image of the nation.

BON reaffirmed its support for ethical leadership and urged stakeholders in the education sector to prioritize integrity and responsiveness in their operations.

 

UTME: BON praises JAMB registrar for admitting result errors

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UTME glitches: Obi, Ezekwesili, others worry over impact on students, parents

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17 hours ago

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May 16, 2025

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UTME glitches: Obi, Ezekwesili, others worry over impact on students, parents

Notable Nigerians including 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi, former Education Minister Oby Ezekwesili, and ex-FRSC Corps Marshal Osita Chidoka, have reacted to the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board’s, JAMB admission of errors in the 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination, UTME.

While commending the JAMB Registrar, Prof. Ishaq Oloyede, for owning up to the glitches, they expressed concern over the impact on students, parents, and the education system.

Obi: Don’t let glitches become a crisis

Peter Obi lauded Oloyede’s rare show of accountability but warned of the damage caused by technical failures.

“The emotional and psychological toll on students and their families is severe. In heartbreaking cases, it has even led to death. JAMB and other institutions must adopt rigorous quality assurance processes. Transparent communication and prompt resolution of issues are vital for public trust,” he said.

Ezekwesili: A national fiasco

Oby Ezekwesili described the situation as a “classic fiasco,” quoting Stephen Hawking: “The greatest enemy of knowledge is not ignorance, it is the illusion of knowledge.”

She criticized authorities for initially dismissing concerns instead of objectively examining the system. Activist Aisha Yesufu also condemned Education Minister Dr. Tunji Alausa for hastily attributing the mass failure to stricter exam standards without confirming the root cause.

Chidoka: Laudable JAMB didn’t say “Go to court”

Chidoka expressed relief that JAMB didn’t deflect blame or ask candidates to go to court.

“I commend JAMB for not taking the path of many public institutions. Instead of deflecting blame, it admitted fault, invited dialogue, and allowed external review. To affected students, I stand in solidarity with you,” he said.

ERC urges postponement of resit

The Education Rights Campaign (ERC) urged JAMB to delay the resit until after the Senior Secondary Certificate Examination (SSCE) ends in June.

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ERC’s Deputy National Coordinator, Comrade Ogunjinmi Isaac, argued that rushing the resit disadvantages candidates already overwhelmed with SSCE exams.

“For SSCE, students write one subject per day. UTME involves four subjects at once and requires separate preparation. It’s unjust to burden candidates further due to JAMB’s errors. The resit should be after SSCE,” he stated.

Lawyer sues JAMB, Minister for N10bn

Lagos-based lawyer Evans Ufeli has sued JAMB and the Minister of Education for N10 billion, citing systemic irregularities and technical failures during the 2025 UTME.

Filed at the Federal High Court in Lagos, the suit represents affected candidates and their families. It seeks a declaration that JAMB’s conduct violated students’ fundamental rights under the Constitution, the African Charter on Human Rights, and the Child Rights Act.

Ufeli is demanding N10 billion in general damages for psychological trauma, lost opportunities, and rights violations. He also seeks the nullification of the 2025 UTME. A hearing date is yet to be scheduled.

Hold JAMB responsible for Timilehin’s death- NANS

The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has blamed JAMB for the death of Miss Timilehin Faith Opesusi, who reportedly took her life after scoring 190 in the UTME.

In a statement by Vice President (National Affairs) Comrade Tenyo Dighopho, NANS demanded the resignation of JAMB Registrar, Prof. Oloyede.

“The trauma, shattered dreams, and now the death of a promising young student make this more than an administrative error—it is a national disgrace. JAMB must compensate Timilehin’s family and offer legal and psychological support,” the statement read.

Timilehin allegedly committed suicide in the Ikorodu area of Lagos after receiving her UTME score.

House of Reps to probe JAMB

The House of Representatives has resolved to investigate the UTME glitches following a motion by Rep. Adewale Adebayo from Osun State.

Adebayo highlighted the hardship many Nigerians endured traveling long distances to write the exam, only to face technical failures. Lawmaker Sada Soli commended the JAMB Registrar for admitting fault, but Speaker Tajudeen Abbas said it was up to the investigating committee to decide if commendation was warranted.

The motion was unanimously adopted.

Parents, candidates raise resit fears

As JAMB commences the resit today, affected candidates and parents have expressed anxiety.

John Michael Odusanya, a candidate, described the ordeal of commuting from Ijanikin to Ikorodu as “hellish.”

“I was drained before even starting the exam. Now I have to go through that all over again,” he lamented.

A mother, Esther, questioned JAMB’s claim that the resit would be free.

“Who’s paying for our transport? The cost is high, and there’s no assurance this resit will be better. JAMB should have spread the exam over a month instead of this rushed schedule,” she said.

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UTME glitches: Obi, Ezekwesili, others worry over impact on students, parents

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