Waec Clears The Air On Allegations Of Withholding Student’s Result
The West African Examinations Council (WAEC) has denied recent allegations that it arbitrarily withholds candidates’ results, insisting all such actions follow established procedures.
The clarification follows a widely circulated report titled “RE: Release my son’s WAEC certificate now, he’s slipping into depression – Mother cries out”, in which a mother appealed to WAEC to release her son's 2023 WASSCE results, claiming the delay was causing emotional distress and jeopardizing his chances of university admission.
In a press statement released on Thursday and signed by Moyosola Adesina, the Acting Head of Public Affairs, WAEC expressed concern over the emotional tone and implications of the report, labeling the accusations as misleading and unfounded.
“The Council has been made aware of a recent publication with the above headline,” the statement began. “As an organisation committed to providing quality service to students, we cannot remain silent on the issue. We firmly reject the allegations and feel compelled to set the record straight.”
According to the Council, examination results are never withheld arbitrarily. Rather, this only occurs when there are formal reports or evidence of exam malpractice or irregularities during a particular examination session.
“When such reports are received, the results in question are placed on hold pending thorough investigation,” Adesina explained.
She added that students involved in such matters are not left uninformed. WAEC ensures they are officially notified and given an opportunity to respond through its Notice of Examination Malpractice portal.
“The portal is always made available and its details are included in press releases, social media updates, and materials provided to candidates and schools,” the Council noted.
WAEC also reiterated its commitment to fairness, transparency, and due process in all operations, assuring stakeholders that all allegations are handled in line with the Council’s established regulations.
“WAEC is a law-abiding institution that ensures all cases of suspected malpractice are addressed according to the governing rules and in alignment with the law,” the statement read.
Despite WAEC’s explanation, some parents and education stakeholders have called for greater transparency and empathy in handling such sensitive cases involving young students.
Meanwhile, the mother who initially raised the concern claimed her family has not received any official update from WAEC regarding her son's result. “We’ve checked the portal, but there’s been no message. If there’s an issue, why hasn’t WAEC contacted us directly?” she asked.
Nonetheless, WAEC reaffirmed its dedication to upholding high standards in assessment across the West African region.
“As a leading examining body, we remain focused on contributing positively to the educational development of our stakeholders and improving the quality of education across Nigeria,” the statement concluded.