…council accused of failing a generation after technical glitch, English paper scandal.
LAGOS, NIGERIA – The iNews Times | The West African Examinations Council (WAEC) is facing widespread public backlash following the mass failure of English language and temporary shutdown of its online result-checking portal, amid growing outrage over the unprecedented mass failure in the 2025 West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE).
In a statement posted on its official X handle (@waecnigeria) on Wednesday evening, the examination body attributed the shutdown of its result checker website to “technical issues,” assuring 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 notice read.
But the explanation did little to douse tensions.
The portal glitch follows WAEC’s Monday announcement that only 38.32% of the 1,969,313 candidates who sat the May/June 2025 WASSCE obtained credits in five subjects including English Language and Mathematics, the worst performance recorded in over a decade.
Social media erupted in anger shortly after the portal failure, with thousands of students, parents, and education stakeholders accusing WAEC of incompetence and mishandling, especially with the English Language exam, which many say was marred by logistical chaos.
On X (formerly Twitter), candidates shared disturbing accounts of the English Language paper held on May 28, claiming it was delayed for hours and in some centres held as late as 8 p.m., under poor lighting conditions.
“We wrote exams at 8 p.m. We were given one hour or 30 minutes to answer questions that should last two and a half hours. There was no light, and everyone was in a hurry to leave. Please rethink,” a user @_samad1 wrote.
Another candidate, @sikimark, appealed for a full review of English Language scripts, stating:
“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.”
The hashtag #WAECResults trended as users posted screenshots of students scoring A1s and B2s in science and commercial subjects but receiving D7s and F9s in English, prompting demands for re-marking or outright cancellation.
One distraught parent tweeted:
“My daughter got five A1 and two B2, only to get D7 in English and Physics (withheld). Something is clearly wrong,” wrote @Johnway11145073.
Some users alleged that WAEC’s handling of the results may be a ploy for revenue generation from remarking requests, while others accused the Council of “gambling with the future of Nigerian youths.”
“Just like JAMB, WAEC is gambling with the future of Nigerians. If the majority of the D’s, E’s and F8’s awarded in English are rechecked, WAEC will pay dearly,” posted @JayTrezy.
The anger wasn’t limited to students and parents. Teachers and education activists also weighed in, calling for external review of the 2025 WASSCE process.
“Students wrote English paper in the midnight and yet WAEC failed them,” said @MarquizDejavex.
“Tag the presidency. Tag the Education Minister. The process must be revised,” tweeted King Jeporphs (@e_okwori).
A few frustrated candidates held onto hope that reopening the result checker portal might bring relief.
“When the portal is reopened, you will see magic,” predicted @ebitimi_da15726.
Despite mounting pressure, WAEC has yet to issue any clarification regarding the specific grading concerns around the English Language paper or address calls for independent review.
Meanwhile, calls for mass protests, formal appeals, and public petitions are gaining traction as stakeholders demand accountability from the continent’s most prominent examination body.
As of Thursday morning, candidates across Nigeria continue to wait, not just for portal access, but for answers.
