An educationist and Team Lead at DEB Reporting, Mr. Mojeed Alabi, has called for an independent review of the 2026 West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) results amid complaints from candidates and parents over disputed scores.
Alabi, who made the call during an interview on Trade FM’s Breakfast Business Briefing, said the controversy surrounding the results could have serious consequences for students, particularly those seeking admission into tertiary institutions.
He urged the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) to review the examination process without imposing additional financial burdens on candidates who believe their results do not reflect their actual performance.
According to him, the review should involve independent stakeholders to ensure transparency and restore confidence in the examination system.
He also appealed to universities and other tertiary institutions to keep their admission portals open for candidates who registered with awaiting results but are now affected by the controversy.
Alabi said regulatory agencies should intervene and encourage institutions to give such students sufficient time to submit their results while the examination body investigates complaints and, where necessary, releases revised results.
He noted that students who perform strongly in the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) and post-UTME could lose admission opportunities if their WAEC results are unexpectedly low.
He argued that losing an admission cycle because of an examination dispute could have consequences far beyond the financial cost of registering for another examination.
The educationist also criticised what he described as Nigeria’s overdependence on academic certificates, arguing that employment and career opportunities should place greater emphasis on skills, knowledge and character.
He said the country’s education system should reward merit and competence rather than create an environment where students feel compelled to manipulate examination processes because certificates are perceived as the primary route to employment and social advancement.
On the 167,486 results reportedly withheld by WAEC over alleged examination malpractice, Alabi said the figure should be considered alongside the total number of candidates who sat the examination.
He argued that examination malpractice is partly a product of systemic weaknesses, including intense pressure to obtain certificates and a reward structure that does not sufficiently recognise practical skills and competence.
Alabi also called for improved welfare for teachers, describing them as critical to the development of every profession.
He said teachers should be adequately rewarded because they are responsible for training the doctors, lawyers, pilots, academics and other professionals who contribute to national development.
He further urged parents to discourage their children from engaging in examination malpractice, warning that tolerating dishonest practices at an early age could contribute to wider corruption and unethical behaviour in adulthood.
The educationist maintained that Nigerian students should understand that they are competing not only within the country but also in a global environment where skills, competence and character are increasingly important.
He also advised students who believe their 2026 WAEC results do not reflect their performance to seek legitimate avenues for redress and not allow the situation to undermine their confidence.
Alabi, who is also Chairman of the Education Writers Association of Nigeria, said the association was compiling complaints surrounding the examination and would pursue them through appropriate channels.
He called on the media, government, schools, parents, religious organisations and other stakeholders to support affected students and demand fairness and accountability in the examination system.
He warned that if students lose confidence in the credibility of the education and examination system, it could negatively affect their perception of the country and their willingness to contribute to its development.
Alabi therefore called for a comprehensive review of Nigeria’s examination system, saying merit, skills, character and quality should be given greater priority alongside academic qualifications.
