WAEC withholds 8.6% of results over malpractice

WAEC has released 2026 WASSCE results but withheld 167,486 candidates’ results pending investigations into examination irregularities and mobile phone infractions.

The West African Examinations Council (WAEC) officially released the results for the 2026 West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE). Council registrars confirmed that results for 167,486 candidates (8.6% of total candidates) were withheld pending investigations into reported examination irregularities and mobile phone infractions.

The proportion of withheld results has continued its downward trend, falling from 9.7% in 2025 to 8.59% in 2026. WAEC has attributed the decline to the introduction of computer-based testing, paper serialisation and enhanced anti-cheating mechanisms. The serialisation system ensures no two candidates receive questions in the same order, virtually eliminating collusion. WAEC also deployed a Digital Marking System and established cybersecurity teams to monitor examinations.

WAEC officials have conducted sensitisation campaigns in many schools to educate students on the consequences of malpractice. The withheld results will remain under investigation, with candidates found culpable facing cancellation of their results.

The winners: WAEC, which continues to reduce malpractice; and students who sat for the examination fairly. The losers: candidates whose results have been withheld; and those who attempted to cheat, facing potential cancellation.

Bottom Line: WAEC withheld 8.6% of results for malpractice. Technology is making it harder to cheat. The question is whether the trend will continue.