WAEC Disowns Viral List of 151 Schools With Withheld 2025 WASSCE Results

Introduction: The Viral Controversy

The West African Examinations Council (WAEC) has categorically disowned a viral document circulating on social media,
which falsely lists 151 schools allegedly affected by withheld 2025 West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) results.
The council has urged the public, especially candidates and parents, to disregard the list, describing it as fake, misleading, and maliciously intended to incite panic.

This article explores the origins of the misinformation, WAEC’s official stance, the real status of the 2025 WASSCE results, implications for stakeholders, and
how to verify authentic WAEC updates moving forward.

What Sparked the Viral List?

On August 5, 2025, a document began trending across social media platforms, particularly WhatsApp and Facebook, claiming that WAEC had withheld the results
of candidates from 151 secondary schools due to various forms of examination malpractice. The list, which contained the names of schools spread across different states,
was shared widely, causing confusion and anxiety among students, teachers, and parents.

Some users claimed to have received the list from “insiders” or “education board staff,” while others attributed it to anonymous WAEC staffers.
However, there was no verification, watermark, or official stamp accompanying the list.

WAEC’s Official Response

Reacting swiftly to the misinformation, WAEC’s Head of Public Affairs, Moyosola Adesina, released a statement debunking the list as “unauthorized and entirely false.”
The examination body clarified that while some results may have been legitimately withheld due to ongoing investigations, the council had not released any school-specific list to the public.

“WAEC has not released any list of schools with withheld results. The document circulating online is fake, and the public is advised to disregard it completely.”

The council further explained that result withholding is a sensitive issue handled with discretion to protect the integrity of ongoing investigations and the identities of candidates involved.

• Collusion among candidates during the exam
• Leakage of question papers
• Impersonation
• Smuggling of unauthorized materials into the exam hall
• Manipulation of answer scripts

These cases are usually subjected to scrutiny by the Nigeria Examinations Committee (NEC), an arm of WAEC, before any final decision is made.
If cleared, withheld results are released; if malpractice is confirmed, results are canceled.

Why Fake News Like This Is Dangerous

The circulation of unverified lists damages the reputation of innocent schools, affects the mental health of candidates, and creates distrust in public examination systems.
For schools whose names appeared falsely in the document, the reputational damage can lead to reduced enrollment and strained relations with stakeholders.

Moreover, such false information undermines the credibility of WAEC, one of Africa’s most respected examining bodies, and causes unnecessary anxiety nationwide.

How to Verify Authentic WAEC Information

To avoid being misled by fake news and unofficial publications, students, teachers, and parents are advised to follow these verification tips:

• Visit WAEC’s official website: www.waecnigeria.org
• Follow WAEC Nigeria on verified social media platforms like Twitter and Facebook
• Listen to announcements from registered school administrators
• Call the official WAEC helplines before acting on any such viral document

WAEC has reiterated that official announcements will always come from its communication department and be published through its authorized channels.

Reactions From Schools and Parents

Many schools whose names appeared on the list have denied any wrongdoing. Some principals have even threatened legal action against those behind the fake publication.
A school administrator from Lagos State, whose institution was listed, stated:

“Our school maintains a strict zero-tolerance policy on malpractice. We have full documentation to prove that no such incident occurred during the WASSCE.”

Parents have also voiced their anger, demanding that WAEC investigates the source of the fake list and holds the perpetrators accountable.

What Happens to Withheld Results?

For the 2025 WASSCE, WAEC has acknowledged that a small number of results have been withheld due to suspected infractions. These results are under review and decisions
will be made after the NEC concludes its investigations.

Candidates affected by this legitimate process are typically notified via their schools or result-checking portals. Once cleared, their results are released,
usually within a few weeks.

Steps WAEC Is Taking Against Fake News

WAEC has announced that it is working with cybersecurity agencies to trace the origin of the viral list. Legal actions may be pursued against those found guilty
of spreading false and defamatory content.

Additionally, the council is stepping up its digital media engagement to counter fake news in real time and educate the public on proper result-checking procedures.

Conclusion: Stay Informed, Stay Calm

In an era of fast-spreading misinformation, it is crucial for students, parents, educators, and the public to rely on verified sources. WAEC’s disowning of the
viral list of 151 schools highlights the importance of checking facts before sharing unverified content.

As WAEC continues its internal reviews and releases updates through official channels, all stakeholders are encouraged to remain calm and avoid giving credence
to false publications. The integrity of the examination process is a shared responsibility that starts with truth and ends in trust.