The West African Examinations Council has announced the release of the 2026 First Series CB-WASSCE results for private candidates in Nigeria, marking another significant milestone in the council’s transition to computer-based testing.

According to the official press release issued from its national headquarters in Yaba, Lagos, the examination was conducted between Wednesday, January 28 and Saturday, February 14, 2026, across various accredited centres nationwide.

Examination Coordination & Marking

The coordination and marking of scripts were carried out across three major venues located in:

Lagos

Enugu

Kaduna

This exercise took place from February 26 to March 13, 2026, with a total of 608 examiners participating in the marking process to ensure accuracy and credibility.

Candidate Enrollment & Participation

A total of 10,523 candidates registered for the examination, representing an 11.49% increase compared to the 9,438 candidates recorded in 2025.

Out of those who registered:

10,480 candidates actually sat for the examination

The exam was conducted across 166 centres nationwide

This increase highlights the growing adoption of the CB-WASSCE format, especially among private candidates seeking flexible examination opportunities.

Inclusion of Candidates with Special Needs

WAEC also reported that 43 candidates with special needs participated in the examination. This includes:

11 visually impaired candidates

4 candidates with hearing impairment

4 albino candidates

The council confirmed that adequate provisions were made to ensure these candidates had equal access and a fair examination environment.

Performance Breakdown

An in-depth statistical analysis of the 10,480 candidates who participated in the examination reveals the following:

4,598 candidates (43.87%) obtained credit passes and above in a minimum of five (5) subjects, regardless of whether English Language and/or Mathematics were included.

3,429 candidates (32.72%) achieved credit passes and above in at least five (5) subjects, including both English Language and Mathematics—a key benchmark for admission into higher institutions.

Gender Distribution

Of the candidates who met the benchmark of five credits including English and Mathematics:

1,847 candidates (53.86%) were male

1,582 candidates (46.14%) were female

This reflects a relatively balanced performance across genders, with a slight lead in favor of male candidates.

Additional Updates & Candidate Guidance

Further insights released by the West African Examinations Council provide a comprehensive breakdown of candidates’ performance and the current status of result processing.

Out of the total number of candidates who sat for the examination, 8,418 candidates (80.32%) have had their results fully processed and released. However, 2,062 candidates (19.68%) still have some of their subject results pending due to identified errors traceable to them. The Council has assured stakeholders that necessary efforts are underway to resolve these issues promptly, ensuring that all affected candidates receive their complete results in due course.

Comparative Performance Trend

When compared to previous years, performance shows a modest improvement. In the same category (five credits including English and Mathematics), candidates recorded:

30.95% in 2024

26.96% in 2025

The current figure of 32.72% represents a 5.76% increase, indicating a gradual upward trend in academic performance among candidates.

Withheld Results

Additionally, 75 candidates (0.72%) have had their results withheld due to reported cases of examination malpractice. These cases are currently under investigation, and findings will be reviewed by the appropriate committee of the Council. Final decisions will be communicated directly to the affected candidates once concluded.

How to Check Results and Access Certificates

Candidates are advised to verify their results through the official WAEC result-checking portal before proceeding to access their digital certificates. The Council has also made provisions for candidates to request printed certificates via the WAEC Certificate Request Portal (e-Certman).

It is important for all candidates to carefully review their results and take necessary actions where required, especially those with pending subjects or withheld results.

The West African Examinations Council commended all candidates for their dedication and resilience throughout the examination process. The Council also extended appreciation to key stakeholders—including government agencies, educational institutions, supervisors, and security personnel—whose contributions ensured the smooth conduct of the examination.

As the processing of outstanding results continues, candidates are encouraged to remain patient and proactive in following official updates.

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