WAEC: Students Complain Of English Language Grades

Following the release of the 2025 West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) results, students have taken to the social media to express frustration, disbelief, and anger, particularly over widespread failure of English Language.

LEADERSHIP recalls that the West African Examinations Council (WAEC), on Monday announced that only 38.32 percent of candidates obtained credit passes in five subjects, including English and Mathematics.

This means over 61.68 percent, amounting to 6 out of every 10 candidates, failed to meet the minimum benchmark required for tertiary education admission.

While WAEC attributed the poor performance to factors such as examination malpractice, technical glitches, and students’ poor preparedness, thousands of candidates have told their stories online, many claiming they were unfairly graded.

“Please, I got E8 in English, is it okay?” one student, @Joyce, asked in desperation, echoing the uncertainty shared by many.

For some, the shock came after strong performances in other subjects.

“I got A’s and B’s in my subjects but F9 in English,” @Jade wrote, adding multiple crying emojis.

Another user, @movie lovers, shared a similar experience, “I got A1 in all my subjects but E8 in English .”

Several students called for WAEC to remark the English Language paper, insisting that the results did not reflect their actual performance.

“WAEC needs to remark English Language, because I know what I wrote,” said @Naza.

“Who mark my English? E no go better for that person,” wrote @Ayeeshain frustration.

Beyond the marking, some students also pointed fingers at the examination conditions.

@Preshy recalled how the English paper was conducted under unusual circumstances, “The English exam was conducted in the night and yet WAEC officials couldn’t accept this as their fault by not postponing it till the next day.”

Another student, @lonewolf 83, described the entire system as exploitative, “WAEC is starting to feel like a total scam. It’s like they want us to fail and come back to pay again. Imagine paying over ₦5,000 just for one subject! It’s discouraging.”

“Education is supposed to empower us, not stress us or rob us blind. Something needs to change,” the student added.

The backlash has sparked renewed conversations around the state of Nigeria’s education system in 2025, with many pointing to a pattern of failure.