WAEC Results Crisis Deepens As Official Alleges CBT Glitches, Irregularities
The controversy surrounding the 2026 West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) results has deepened following fresh allegations of technical glitches and irregularities by an official of the West African Examinations Council (WAEC).
Olanrewaju Fadehan, Head of Examinations at the WAEC office covering Anambra State, made the allegations in a video that has gone viral, claiming that candidates who participated in the Computer-Based Test (CBT) version of the examination were particularly affected.
Fadehan alleged that problems occurred around the period the examination body was preparing to release the results, which he said were initially expected between August 3 and 5, 2026.
According to him, the delay in releasing the results raised concerns, particularly because WAEC had traditionally announced its results on Mondays.
“Obviously, there was a problem because the press was eagerly waiting on Monday, the scheduled date. There was a need to quickly do some last-minute adjustments. Something was wrong,” he alleged.
The official further claimed that the alleged last-minute adjustments affected candidates who sat for the CBT examination, particularly in subjects including Mathematics, English Language and Igbo.
He also expressed concern over the reported poor performance of some candidates in Igbo, despite the subject being widely spoken across several communities in the South-East.
Fadehan’s allegations have added to growing concerns over the credibility of the 2026 WASSCE results, with some parents, school administrators and education advocates already questioning grades obtained by certain candidates.
Global Mirror News gathered that some schools and education stakeholders have reportedly compared the affected students’ WASSCE grades with their previous academic performances and results from other standardised examinations.
Some of the stakeholders have consequently called for greater transparency and, where necessary, a review of disputed results.
Schools reportedly spent millions on CBT facilities
Fadehan also alleged that schools which invested heavily in preparation for WAEC’s transition to CBT were among those affected by the reported problems.
He claimed that some schools spent more than N60 million to establish computer-based examination facilities in anticipation of the new system.
“The call for a review this year is particularly disturbing, as it is alarming. Schools that subscribed to the CBT innovation of WAEC were badly hit. Some of them spent upwards of N60m and above to set up their CBT facilities,” he alleged.
The official further raised concerns over the calculators allegedly provided to candidates during the examination.
He claimed that some candidates were not given appropriate calculators, alleging that this contributed to poor performances in Mathematics and other subjects requiring calculations.
Official says he petitioned authorities
Fadehan said he had raised concerns about the alleged irregularities during the examination and later petitioned relevant authorities.
According to him, his complaints were directed to the WAEC Board, the House of Representatives Committee on Basic Education and Examining Bodies, as well as the Minister of Education.
However, he alleged that rather than having his concerns addressed, he was subjected to disciplinary proceedings and subsequently placed on interdiction.
He called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to investigate the alleged problems, particularly those involving candidates who opted for the CBT version of the examination.
“I call on the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, to investigate the cause of failure of candidates, particularly those who chose the computer-based WAEC,” he said.
Fadehan also made allegations of financial impropriety against the management of the examination body, with his claims reportedly touching on the supply of calculators, students’ identification cards and charges paid by candidates and other service seekers.
He urged the Federal Government and other relevant stakeholders to investigate the allegations, stressing that the credibility of the examination system must be protected because WASSCE results are critical to students seeking admission into tertiary institutions.
WAEC declines comment
When contacted over the allegations, WAEC Head of Public Affairs, Moyosola Adesina, declined to comment on the matter.
“No comment for now,” she said.
The latest controversy follows an earlier report that WAEC was facing increased scrutiny over the 2026 WASSCE results.
Concerns reportedly emerged after some school administrators and education advocates alleged grading anomalies and technical glitches connected with the expanded use of CBT.
Some stakeholders claimed that certain high-performing students received grades they considered inconsistent with their previous academic records and performance in other standardised assessments.
The allegations, however, remain claims and have not been independently established.
As the controversy continues to generate reactions, attention is expected to shift to WAEC and relevant education authorities to clarify the issues raised and determine whether any technical or administrative problems affected candidates’ results.
For affected students and their parents, a transparent resolution is particularly important as the 2026 WASSCE results could determine admission opportunities and other academic plans.
Education stakeholders have therefore urged WAEC to provide clear explanations and, where credible complaints are established, ensure that affected candidates are given appropriate avenues for review.
Global Mirror News will continue to monitor developments as WAEC and relevant authorities respond to the growing concerns surrounding the 2026 examination results.
