How Many Times Has WAEC Cancelled Results?‎

The West African Examinations Council (WAEC) in Nigeria has recently been at the center of controversy due to a viral press statement alleging the cancellation of the 2025 West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE).
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‎This incident has reignited discussions about WAEC’s history of result cancellations and the measures taken to address examination malpractice.

Recent Claims Of 2025 WASSCE Cancellation

On Saturday, July 19, 2025, a false press statement circulated widely on social media, claiming that the Federal Ministry of Education, in collaboration with WAEC, had cancelled the entire 2025 WASSCE due to widespread examination malpractice, coordinated leakage of question papers, and unauthorized digital dissemination of exam materials.
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‎The statement, purportedly signed by a Dr. (Mrs.) Aisha Lawal, Director-General of the Federal Examinations Regulatory Board, alleged that over 480 examination centers were flagged for coordinated cheating patterns and that AI-generated answers and remote cheating tools were used extensively.
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‎It further claimed that all papers written between May 6 and July 18, 2025, had been nullified, with a new timetable to be announced by August 5.
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‎This misinformation caused significant panic among candidates, parents, and schools, prompting swift responses from both WAEC and the Federal Ministry of Education to clarify the situation.

‎WAEC’s Reaction To The Cancellation

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‎WAEC promptly debunked the viral statement, describing it as “spurious” and the work of “mischief-makers” bent on causing confusion and discrediting the council.
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‎In a statement issued on Sunday, July 20, 2025, signed by Moyosola Adesina, Acting Head of Public Affairs, WAEC categorically denied cancelling the 2025 WASSCE.
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‎The council emphasized that the examination had been successfully concluded, with the marking of scripts completed, and results were set to be released on or before August 4, 2025.
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‎WAEC reiterated that its official communications are disseminated only through verified channels, including its social media handles and accredited media platforms, urging stakeholders to disregard unverified reports.
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‎The council also highlighted its commitment to maintaining the integrity of its examinations and thanked the public for their continued trust over its 73-year history.
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‎Additionally, WAEC addressed earlier rumors from May 2025, when a fake press release claimed the English Language paper, written on May 28, 2025, had been cancelled due to delays in its conduct.
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‎WAEC clarified that the delay was due to heightened efforts to curb examination malpractice, particularly paper leakages, and confirmed that the exam remained valid.

How Many Times Has WAEC Cancelled Results?

Historically, WAEC has rarely cancelled entire examinations or results across the board, but it has taken action in cases of significant malpractice.
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‎The council’s approach typically involves withholding or cancelling results for specific candidates or examination centers where irregularities, such as cheating or leakage of question papers, are confirmed.
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‎According to WAEC’s rules and regulations, cases of examination malpractice are addressed by the Nigeria Examinations Committee (NEC), which may withhold results, cancel specific papers, or bar candidates from future examinations.
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‎While comprehensive data on the exact number of cancellations is not publicly detailed in the provided sources, notable instances include:
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‎Localized Cancellations: WAEC has cancelled results for specific candidates or centers in cases of proven malpractice. For example, in the 2025 WASSCE, isolated incidents of malpractice were reported and addressed without affecting the entire examination.
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‎Paper-Specific Issues: In some years, specific subjects have faced issues due to leakages. For instance, in 2025, concerns about the English Language paper leakage were investigated, but the exam was not cancelled.
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‎Historical Context: Over its 73-year history, WAEC has maintained a reputation for addressing malpractice on a case-by-case basis rather than cancelling entire examinations.
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‎The council’s rigorous processes, including the use of invigilators and inspectors, aim to minimize irregularities.
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‎No verified records from the provided sources or WAEC’s official communications indicate a nationwide cancellation of an entire WASSCE in Nigeria. The 2025 incident, therefore, appears to be a false alarm rather than a reflection of WAEC’s historical practices.

‎What The Government Is Saying About It

The Federal Ministry of Education, through its Director of Press and Public Relations, Folasade Boriowo, issued a statement on Sunday, July 20, 2025, dismissing the viral report as “entirely fabricated, misleading, and intended to cause unnecessary panic and confusion.”
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‎The ministry clarified that the 2025 WASSCE had been successfully concluded with only minimal, isolated cases of malpractice, which were promptly handled.
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‎It also noted that the ongoing National Examinations Council (NECO) examinations were proceeding smoothly with no reported malpractice.
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‎The ministry emphasized that it had not received any official reports from WAEC or NECO about widespread malpractice and had not authorized any cancellation.
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‎It urged students, parents, and school administrators to rely on verified sources, such as the ministry’s official website (www.education.gov.ng), WAEC’s website (www.waecnigeria.org), and NECO’s website (www.neco.gov.ng), for accurate information.
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‎The ministry also warned that individuals spreading false information would face investigation and potential prosecution by security agencies.
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‎Boriowo reiterated that no decision to cancel the WASSCE had been made, describing the circulating report as “fake news” and assuring the public that an official statement was forthcoming to further clarify the situation.

The 2025 WASSCE cancellation rumors highlight the dangers of misinformation in the digital age, particularly when it targets critical educational processes.
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‎WAEC and the Federal Ministry of Education have acted swiftly to dispel these rumors, ensuring candidates and stakeholders remain confident in the examination’s integrity.
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‎While WAEC has a history of addressing malpractice through targeted measures, there is no evidence of a nationwide cancellation of results in 2025 or in previous years.
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‎As the council prepares to release the 2025 WASSCE results by August 4, 2025, candidates are advised to stay informed through official channels and avoid unverified social media reports.