WAEC releases 2026 CB-WASSCE, 32.72% passed including English, Maths

The West African Examinations Council (WAEC) has released the results of the 2026 Computer-Based West African Senior School Certificate Examination (CB-WASSCE) for private candidates, first series, revealing that 32.72 percent of candidates obtained credits in five subjects, including English Language and Mathematics.

According to a statement signed by Moyosola Adesina, the acting head of public affairs for WAEC National Head Office, out of the 10,480 candidates that sat the examination, 3,429 candidates, representing 32.72 percent obtained credit and above in a minimum of five subjects, including English Language and Mathematics, while 4,598 candidates, representing 43.87 percent obtained credit and above in a minimum of five subjects with or without English Language and/or Mathematics.

The examination took place in Nigeria between Wednesday, January 28, and Saturday, February 14, 2026, with a total of 608 examiners involved in the coordination and marking exercise.

Read also: Rising transport costs force commuters to trek, seek cheaper routes

Of the total number of 10,480 candidates that sat the examination, 5,106 were males while 5,374 were females, representing 48.72 percent, and 51.28 percent respectively.

The council revealed that 10,523 candidates, representing an 11.49 percent increase when compared with the 2025 entry figure of 9,438, enrolled for the examination, while 10,480 candidates sat the examination at 166 centres spread across the country.

Among the candidates who sat the examination, 43 candidates, with varying degrees of Special Needs, registered for the examination.

Out of this number, 11 were visually impaired, four had impaired hearing, and four were Albinos. All these candidates with Special Needs were adequately provided for in the administration of the examination.

Read also: Oil price surge tests Nigeria’s post-subsidy model

A total number of 8,418 candidates, representing 80.32 percent have their results fully processed and released, while 2,062 candidates, representing 19.68 percent have a few of their subjects still being processed due to some errors traceable to them.

The analysis of the statistics of the candidates’ performance further reveals that 1,847, that is, 53.86 percent, were male candidates, while 1,582, representing 46.14 percent were female candidates.

The percentage of candidates in this category in the WASSCE for private candidates in 2024 and 2025, first series, that is, those who obtained credit and above in a minimum of five subjects, including English Language and Mathematics, were 30.95 percent and 26.96 percent respectively.

Thus, there is a marginal increase of 5.76 percent in performance in this regard.

Read also: Nigeria’s biggest banks lead Africa in brand value growth rate

Furthermore, 75 candidates’ results, representing 0.72 percent of the total number of candidates that sat the examination, are being withheld in connection with various reported cases of examination malpractice.

The cases are being investigated, and reports of the investigations will be presented to the appropriate committee of the council for determination.

WAEC counsels candidates to check their results by visiting www.waecdirect.org to ascertain their status before visiting the digital certificate platform (www.waec.org) to access the digital copies of their certificates, which have been released along with the results.