The West African Examinations Council (WAEC) has withheld the results of 167,486 candidates who sat for the 2026 Computer-Based WASSCE for School Candidates due to allegations of examination malpractice.
Malpractice rates in the 2026 exams
The number of affected students represents 8.59 per cent of the total candidate population for the computer-based examination. This disciplinary action comes as the council continues to monitor and penalize irregularities during the testing process.
The withholding of results is a standard measure used by the council to maintain the integrity of the certification process when there is evidence or strong suspicion of cheating.
Comparison with previous year
While the current figures remain high, they indicate a slight decline in the prevalence of cheating compared to the previous year. In 2025, the malpractice rate stood at 9.7 per cent of the total candidates.
The decrease suggests a marginal improvement in exam conduct, although the scale of the current withholdings shows that malpractice remains a persistent challenge for the council.
Context of anti-malpractice efforts
The current situation persists despite an anti-malpractice crusade led by President Bola Tinubu’s administration, which aimed to curb academic dishonesty and restore the value of certificates issued in the region.
The fact that over 167,000 results are still being withheld highlights the difficulty of fully eradicating cheating, even with the transition to computer-based testing and increased government focus on academic integrity.
Explore more News stories and analysis from Business Elites Africa.
