By Nchetachi Chukwuajah
The West African Examinations Council (WAEC) has released the results of the Computer-Based West African Senior School Certificate Examination (CB-WASSCE) for private candidates, 2026 First Series.
This was disclosed in a statement issued by the council’s Acting Head of Public Affairs, Moyosola Adesina, on Friday, March 27.
Adesina said that the examination took place across 166 centres in Nigeria between January 28 and February 14.
According to Adesina, out of the 10,480 candidates who sat for the examination, 3,429 candidates, representing 32.72 per cent, obtained credits and above in a minimum of five subjects, including English Language and Mathematics, the benchmark required for admission into tertiary institutions in Nigeria.
The statement further noted that there is a 5.76 per cent improvement in performance in the 2026 CB-WASSCE for private candidates, First Series, compared to previous years.
It said in the 2024 and 2025 first series of the private candidates’ examination, 30.95 per cent and 26.96 per cent of candidates, respectively, achieved the same benchmark.
“Thus, there is a marginal increase of 5.76 per cent in performance in this regard,” the statement noted.
The council also stated that a total of 10,523 candidates registered in 2026, representing an 11.49 per cent increase from the 9,438 entries recorded in 2025, adding that 5,106 of the candidates who sat for the examination were males (48.72 per cent) while 5,374 were females, representing 51.28 per cent.
It disclosed that 43 candidates with special needs participated in the examination, including eleven visually impaired candidates, four with hearing impairment, and four albinos, adding that adequate provisions were made to support them throughout the examination.
According to the statement, 8,418 candidates, representing 80.32 per cent, have had their results fully processed and released, while 2,062 candidates (19.68 per cent) are still awaiting full processing due to errors traceable to them.
Further analysis shows that 4,598 candidates (43.87 per cent) obtained credits and above in at least five subjects, with or without English Language and Mathematics while 3,429 candidates (32.72 per cent) met the full requirement of five credits, including English and Mathematics.
The statement further noted that of those who met the key benchmark, 1,847 (53.86 per cent) were male, while 1,582 (46.14 per cent) were female.
The council disclosed that 75 candidates, representing 0.72 per cent, had their results withheld over alleged examination malpractice.
It stated that the cases are under investigation and that decisions will be communicated to affected candidates after review by the appropriate committee.
