WAEC under fire over 2026 results, alleged grading anomalies

The West African Examinations Council (WAEC) is under scrutiny over allegations of grading anomalies and technical glitches in the recently released 2026 West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) results. School administrators and education advocates have expressed concerns that high-performing students received lower grades than expected, based on their academic records and performance in other standardized assessments.

According to Sam Abdulazeez, the Director of Impact House Model Schools in Ogun State, the school has observed a decline in its students' performance in the 2025 and 2026 WASSCE despite maintaining its teaching staff, improving facilities, and intensifying examination preparations. Abdulazeez mentioned that in 2024, all 45 Mathematics candidates from his school obtained an A1 grade, but this year, more than 30 out of 69 candidates scored over 300 in JAMB, a fully computer-based test.

Abdulazeez also raised concerns about the English Language results, noting that students who performed strongly in the UTME (University of Transparent Medical Entrance Examination) did not receive the grades they expected in WASSCE. He stated that only three candidates out of 69 obtained a credit grade in English Language, while the rest received B2 or B3 grades.

The school director attributed the discrepancies to the introduction of computer-based testing (CBT) and serialisation, which he believed led to grading irregularities. Abdulazeez highlighted technical difficulties encountered during a mock examination conducted by WAEC officials and suggested that the school might need an independent review of the 2026 WASSCE results to ensure fairness and transparency in the examination process.