By CHARLES IWUOHA

The Member representing Ikwo/Ezza South Federal Constituency of Ebonyi State in the House of Representatives, Hon. Chinedu Ogah, has raised alarm that nearly 80 per cent of Nigerian youths risk losing admission into tertiary institutions this year due to the continued withholding of their West African Examinations Council (WAEC) results.

Ogah, in statement released on Wednesday, urged WAEC to immediately release the results of candidates it withheld in the 2025 West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) over alleged malpractice, warning that the body is frustrating the educational dreams of young Nigerians.

According to him, the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has already released its results and admissions are ongoing, but most candidates cannot secure placements because their English Language and Mathematics results remain pending.

“Putting results pending up to now is unconstitutional, and this anomaly only happens in Nigeria,” Ogah said. “Stakeholders, especially those who support orphans and vulnerable persons to write SSCE, are deeply unhappy with this recurring issue that is killing the hope of our young people.”

The lawmaker cited the WAEC Act, Cap W4, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004, which empowers the examination body “to conduct examinations in the public interest, mark and award certificates,” stressing that the Council has no mandate to indefinitely withhold results after conducting the exams.

He reminded the Council of its core mandate as contained in its establishing statute:

“The mandate of the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) is to serve as the region’s foremost examining body, determining examinations for the public interest, conducting them, awarding international certificates, and providing qualitative educational assessment and moral guidance to West African countries.”

“Determining and conducting relevant examinations for Anglophone West African countries. Awarding certificates comparable to those of equivalent international bodies.

“Providing reliable educational assessment and promoting both academic and moral excellence. Supporting human resource development, international cooperation, and high educational standards within the region”.

Ogah argued that withholding results without immediate proof of malpractice constitutes a breach of this mandate and violates the rights of candidates who sat for the examination in good faith.

He disclosed that a suit demanding N50 million in damages would be instituted against WAEC, describing its action as “abuse of office and sabotage” against Nigerian youths.

“WAEC has supervisors, invigilators, and external examiners who monitor schools during the exams. If there is evidence of malpractice, the right thing is to cancel the paper immediately, not to withhold results months later when candidates are already processing admissions,” he maintained.

The lawmaker further alleged that such practices are peculiar to Nigeria, insisting that similar scenarios do not play out in Ghana or other West African countries where WAEC also operates.

Recall that Ogah had earlier issued a seven-day ultimatum to WAEC to release the results of 192,089 candidates, representing 9.75 percent of the total candidates, withheld in connection with alleged examination malpractice in 2025.

WAEC’s Head of National Office (HNO), Dr. Amos Dangut, had announced the overall release of this year’s results but confirmed that the 192,089 candidates’ results remained seized pending investigation.

Ogah, however, urged the Council to rise to its responsibility, warning that continued delay would frustrate candidates’ admission chances and potentially push many into crime and other social vices.

“This is unacceptable. WAEC should release the results of these candidates without further delay, because their future is at stake,” he concluded, calling on the Minister of Education to set up a committee to investigate the matter.