The West African Examinations Council (WAEC) has released the results of the 2024 Second Series of the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) for private candidates.

The examination body announced this on Sunday in a statement signed by the Acting Head of its Public Affairs Department, Moyosola Adesina.

According to the statement, 68,342 candidates registered for the examination, representing a 20 per cent decrease compared to 2023.

Of this number, 65,023 candidates sat the examination across 5,067 centres nationwide. Among them, 157 candidates had special needs, including 25 visually challenged candidates, 13 with impaired hearing, and 15 with albinism.

Performance breakdown
According to WAEC, 34,878 candidates, representing 53.64 per cent, obtained credit passes in at least five subjects, including English Language and Mathematics, while a total of 43,923 candidates (67.55 per cent) obtained credit and above in at least five subjects, regardless of English and Mathematics.

It noted that the gender distribution of successful candidates showed that 17,992 female candidates (51.58 per cent) met the minimum benchmark of five credits, including English and Mathematics, compared to 16,886 male candidates (48.41 per cent).

“This analysis, however, cannot be compared with that of WASSCE for School Candidates. Whereas the candidates in the WASSCE for School Candidates Examination are compelled to sit eight or nine subjects, the candidates in the WASSCE for Private Candidates Examination, though they can register for eight or nine subjects, are not compelled to take all. They are free to sit, even one subject, depending on the deficiency they want to remedy,” it added.

Withheld results
WAEC reported that 95.90 per cent of the candidates had their results fully processed and released, while 2,669 (4.10 per cent) had some subjects still being processed due to errors “traceable to them.”

“However, efforts are being made to speedily complete the processing to enable all the affected candidates to get their results fully processed and released, subsequently,” it noted.

The examination body added that the 2,577 candidates (3.96 per cent) had their results withheld “in connection with various allegations of examination malpractice.”

WAEC has advised affected candidates to visit its online complaints portal for further action.

“All reported cases will be investigated, including exhibits obtained, alongside candidates’ representations lodged on the portal. These will be evaluated, and reports will be presented to the appropriate Committee of the Council for determination.

“The Committee’s decision(s) will be communicated directly to the affected candidates,” it added.

Hybrid examination format
The examination was conducted between Friday, 25 October 2024, and Friday, 20 December 2024.

For the first time, WAEC conducted the examination in two modes: the traditional paper and pen format and a newly introduced computer-based hybrid mode.

Candidates were allowed to select their preferred mode during registration.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has called on the Africa Union Peace and Security Council (AUPSC) to prioritise the establishment of a combined maritime task force to enhance security in the Gulf of Guinea.

Tinubu who made the demand on Sunday at the 38th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of the African Union (AU) Heads of State and Government in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, expressed Nigeria’s readiness to host the task force’s headquarters in Lagos.

He conveyed Nigeria’s position as the AU considered the report on the AUPSC, focusing on peace and security in Africa, and the biennial report on the implementation of the Master Roadmap of Practical Steps to Silence the Guns in Africa (2023-2024).

The statement was delivered on behalf of President Tinubu by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar.

“The time has come for the African Union Peace and Security Council to prioritise the creation of a Combined Maritime Task Force for the Gulf of Guinea.

“I wish to announce that Nigeria would like to host the headquarters of the task force in Lagos,” he said.

Nigeria’s recommendation of a maritime task force comes on the same day that it signed an agreement with the AU to provide Strategic Sea Lift Services for AU peace support operations, natural disaster support, humanitarian actions, and personnel movement.

Nigeria’s defence minister, Badaru Abubakar, signed the agreement. Under the agreement, the Nigerian Navy will provide a vessel for the operations on a cost-recovery basis.

Nigeria’s Attorney-General and Justice Minister, Prince Lateef Fagbemi, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar, Naval Chief, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ikechukwu Ogalla, and Director-General of the Nigerian Intelligence Agency, Ambassador Muhammed Muhammed, witnessed the agreement signing.

Ambassador Bankole Adeoye, the AU Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace and Security, signed for the AU.

President Tinubu expressed satisfaction that the AUPSC had already adopted the outcomes of a high–level meeting, including the decision to upgrade the Nigerian National Counter-Terrorism Centre to a Regional Counter–Terrorism Centre.

He also appreciated the Peace and Security Council’s decision to renew the mandate of the Multinational Joint Taskforce, addressing the twin challenges of terrorism and violent extremism in the Lake Chad Region.

On Libya, the Nigerian leader expressed concern that the instability in the North African country has continued to worsen security challenges in the Sahel and called on the Assembly to back initiatives to restore law and order.

“The Sahel cannot enjoy peace as long as Libya does not,” he warned.

Tinubu highlighted the severe insecurity affecting countries grappling with democratic transition, including Sudan, Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger, South Sudan, and Gabon.

“It would not be out of place to explore the possibility of extending the inherent benefits of UN Security Council Resolution 2719 to support AU Peace Support Operations,” he said.

In doing so, he added that the AU must try to prevent the increasing incursion of extra-continental forces, including private military companies, into African security matters.

Tinubu welcomed the progress in operationalising the African Standby Force, reiterating Nigeria’s support.

He appealed to all AU member countries and delegations to show the necessary flexibility and allow the draft MoU on the operationalisation of the standby force to be adopted.
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Tinubu also strongly supported an African-led credit rating agency (ACRA), noting that it would provide fairer, more transparent credit assessments for African economies.

“An independent African-led rating agency will help provide fairer assessments of African economies and reduce the bias often observed in existing global rating agencies,” the President said.

Tinubu commended the African Union (AU), the African Development Bank (AfDB), and the Specialised Technical Committee (STC) on Finance for their visionary leadership in advancing an African framework for financing development among member states.

He noted that the Africa Financing Stability Mechanism (AFSM) is crucial as the continent continues to face significant challenges, including rising borrowing costs, debt overhang, low domestic resource mobilisation, and limited access to long-term affordable financing.

“The establishment of the AFSM underscores the collective commitment of member states in addressing financial vulnerabilities and fostering economic resilience across the continent.

“This mechanism is envisioned to support member states in achieving their national development objectives, and it will also help create economic opportunities for citizens,” he said.

The Nigerian leader acknowledged the significant progress made at the 5th Extraordinary Session of the Specialized Technical Committee on Finance, held in November 2025 in Abuja, Nigeria, which reached key decisions.

“The adoption of the AFSM by member states is expected to enhance financial stability, strengthen resilience against external shocks, and provide a more coordinated approach to managing financial risks across the continent,” he said.

The presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP) in the 2023 election, Peter Obi, former vice president, Yemi Osinbajo, and the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, Pastor Enoch Adeboye, on Sunday, visited the residence of the late leader of the pan-Yoruba socio-cultural group, Afenifere, Ayo Adebanjo.

The ex-governor of Ogun State, Gbenga Daniel, the governorship candidate of LP in Lagos State, Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour, and human rights advocate, Dele Farotimi, were also at Adebanjo’s residence to pay their respects.

Rhodes-Vivour, in a post on, wrote, “Earlier today, we joined the Adebanjo family in thanksgiving and prayers for God’s comfort and strength for the family.

“Pa Adebanjo lived a full life and was always excited to share his values, vision, and ideology with the next generation. He was a principled man who embodied the ideals of equity, justice, and true federalism. We celebrate a life of impact, lived to the fullest.”

This visit comes after the passing of the 96-year-old Afenifere leader, who died on Friday at his Lekki residence in Lagos State.

The President of the 10th Senate, Godswill Akpabio, the Governor of Enugu State, Peter Mbah, and the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, have expressed condolences over Adebanjo’s death.

The former Governor of Ekiti State, Kayode Fayemi, the apex Igbo socio-cultural organisation, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, and the Middle Belt Forum have also mourned his passing.