The West African Examinations Council said the Council does not withhold candidates’ results without due process.
This was in response to a viral report titled “RE: Release my son’s WAEC certificate now, he’s slipping into depression–Mother cries out,” describing the claims as misleading.
The report, which was widely circulated in national dailies and online platforms, featured a distressed mother pleading with WAEC to release her son’s 2023 WASSCE result.
She alleged that the prolonged delay had pushed the teenager into depression, preventing him from gaining admission into a tertiary institution.
However, in a press statement signed on Thursday by the Acting Head of Public Affairs, Moyosola Adesina, WAEC expressed concern over the publication, rejecting allegations of negligence and emotional harm.
“The attention of the West African Examinations Council has been drawn to a publication in the national dailies titled ‘RE: RELEASE MY SON’S WAEC CERTIFICATE NOW, HE’S SLIPPING INTO DEPRESSION–MOTHER CRIES OUT,’” the statement began.
“We have read the publication, with deep sense of concern, and as an organisation that takes pleasure in rendering quality service to the Nigerian child, we have decided not to remain silent over the incident. We categorically reject this claim and wish to clarify the facts.”
The Council emphasised that results are only withheld when there is a formal report of examination malpractice or irregularities during an exam session.
“The Council does not withhold candidate(s) result(s) arbitrarily,” Adesina said. “When a report on acts of examination malpractice and other irregularities regarding the conduct of an examination is received by WAEC, the results of affected candidate(s) are withheld pending investigations.”
WAEC also noted that candidates involved in such cases are not left in the dark but are officially informed of the allegations and provided avenues for redress.
“The affected candidates are thereafter notified of the allegations made against them and they are advised to make their representations via the WAEC Notice of Examinations Malpractice portal,” the Council said.
Adesina added that this process is always publicly communicated through WAEC press releases, social media platforms, and examination materials provided to candidates and schools.
“The information about this portal is always contained in the press releases issued upon the release of result for every diet of examination as well as the Council’s social media platforms. In addition, prior to every diet of examination, candidates and examination functionaries are informed through briefing session notes and registration materials.”
Affirming the Council’s commitment to fairness and legality, WAEC assured stakeholders that every malpractice allegation is handled according to established rules.
“The West African Examinations Council is a law-abiding organisation that follows due process in all its activities.
“All the reported cases of examination malpractice are investigated in accordance with the Rules and Regulations for dealing with cases of irregularities in the Council’s examinations pursuant with the law,” the statement added.
Despite the Council’s clarification, several educationists and parents continue to call for a more transparent and empathetic approach when handling such sensitive issues involving teenagers.
Meanwhile, the mother who raised the alarm in the initial report insists she has not received any official communication regarding her son’s case. “We’ve checked the portal, nothing has been sent to us,” she said. “If there’s truly a case, why not write to us directly?”
WAEC, however, maintained its commitment to improving assessment standards across West Africa.
“As a world-class examining body that aims to add value to the educational goals of its stakeholders, the Council will continue to use its best endeavour to improve on the quality of assessment for the enhancement of quality education in Nigeria,” said the statement.
