The West African Examinations Council (WAEC) is facing intense public criticism following the temporary shutdown of its result-checking portal on Wednesday evening, compounding the backlash sparked by the poor performance recorded in the 2025 West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE).
In a statement shared on WAEC Nigeria’s official X (formerly Twitter) handle, @waecnigeria, the exam body attributed the shutdown of the portal, waecdirect.org, to unspecified “technical issues,” promising that access would be restored within 24 hours.
“WAEC hereby informs the general public that the result checker portal @waecdirect.org is temporarily shut down due to technical issues. However, the Council is working assiduously to ensure that candidates are able to access their results in the next 24 hours. We apologise for any inconvenience this might have caused you,” the post read.
The announcement further enraged many Nigerians, especially candidates and parents, following Monday’s disclosure that only 38.32 per cent of the 1,969,313 candidates who sat for the 2025 WASSCE obtained credit passes in at least five subjects, including English Language and Mathematics — marking the worst performance in a decade.
Social media has since erupted with frustration, as candidates allege irregularities during the conduct and grading of the English Language exam. Reports surfaced that the English paper was held unusually late in the evening at several centres on May 28, with some candidates writing under poor lighting conditions and significant time constraints.
One X user, Mark Imohi (@sikimark), questioned the credibility of the grading process:
“It is concerning that the English exam, which was delayed at centres nationwide, is now resulting in widespread failures. If JAMB could make amends, we hope WAEC will take steps to rectify the situation. It was a national disgrace.”
Another user, @_samad1, recounted his experience:
“We wrote exams at 8 p.m. We were given one hour or 30 minutes to answer questions meant for two and a half hours. There was no light, and everyone was in a hurry to leave. Please rethink.”
Amid rising complaints, some candidates are hopeful that their scores may be adjusted when the portal is restored.
“When the portal is reopened, you will see magic,” tweeted Daniel Ebitimi (@ebitimi_da15726).
Others accused WAEC of deliberate failure to exploit revenue from result rechecking requests.
“Just like JAMB, WAEC is gambling with the future of Nigerians. If the majority of the D’s, E’s and F9’s awarded in English are rechecked, WAEC will pay dearly,” wrote @JayTrezy.
Parents have also voiced their concerns, baffled by results that seem inconsistent with students’ overall performance.
“My daughter got five A1s and two B2s, only to get D7 in English and Physics withheld,” lamented @Johnway11145073.
A candidate under the handle @DEYHOT_official made a heartfelt appeal:
“WAEC, please I am begging, help us check the English Language exam again. I can’t accept this result. I struggled so hard to get money and pay for this exam, and now you failed me. This result is affecting my future.”
Some users are even calling for a total withdrawal and review of the 2025 WASSCE results, particularly in English and Mathematics.
“We reject this year’s results, particularly the English and Maths. WAEC, please do the needful to avoid mass protests,” posted @pastorbtdaniels.
A teacher, @MarquizDejavex, echoed similar sentiments:
“Students wrote English paper in the mid night and yet WAEC failed them.”
Another user, King Jeporphs (@e_okwori), urged the federal government to intervene:
“The students who were robbed and given abysmal grades in English should tag the presidency and the Minister of Education to have an external body revise the whole exam process.”
As of the time of filing this report, WAEC has not provided further clarification on the English Language grading nor addressed calls for a script review. The public continues to await transparency and accountability from the Council amid growing tension and disillusionment.
