The Federal Government, through the Ministry of Education, has pledged to improve human capacity by providing continuous training and support for teachers. This promise comes in the wake of a recent decline in candidates’ performance in the 2025 West African Examinations Council (WAEC) results.
The Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Olatunji Alausa, stated, “We are committed to producing smart, competent teachers to better prepare our students for academic success. This is crucial to ensuring that our examinations remain credible and flawless.” While speaking on the statistical analysis of the recently released 2025 WAEC results, the Minister reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to transparency, accountability, and a zero-tolerance policy for examination malpractice.
According to official WAEC statistics, the percentage of candidates who obtained five credits, with or without English Language and Mathematics, rose to 91.14% in 2025, a significant increase from 73.79% in 2024 and 84.38% in 2023. However, the number of candidates who secured five credits, including English Language and Mathematics, saw a notable decline, standing at 62.96% in 2025, down from 72.12% in 2024 and 79.81% in 2023.
Reiterating the Federal Government’s zero-tolerance policy towards examination malpractice, Alausa highlighted a consistent decline in malpractice rates over the past three years: from 16.29% in 2023 to 11.92% in 2024, and 9.70% in 2025. He attributed this positive trend to robust anti-malpractice measures introduced by WAEC, including the serialization of question papers in key subjects such as English Language, Mathematics, Biology, and Economics.
Alausa also announced a further reform: the Ministry will roll out Computer-Based Testing (CBT) for WAEC and National Examinations Council (NECO) objective papers in 2025, with plans to extend it to both essay and objective papers in 2026. This step aims to enhance efficiency, curb malpractice, and align Nigeria’s examination system with global best practices.
The Minister called on all stakeholders, including parents, guardians, teachers, and community leaders, to support students, encourage discipline, and create enabling environments for learning. “Let us work together to ensure that every hardworking child has the opportunity to succeed,” he urged.