According to the examination body, a total of 1,222,505 candidates, amounting to 76.36 per cent of the 1,601,047 candidates that successfully sat the examination, obtained credits and above in a minimum of five (5) subjects, including English Language and Mathematics.

The statistics represent a decrease of more than five per cent in performance when compared with the 81.7 per cent pass rate recorded in 2021.

Announcing the results at the headquarters of the examination body in Lagos, the Head of Nigeria Office (HNO), Patrick Areghan, said a total of 597,811 of the candidates, representing 37 34 per cent, were male; while 624,694, representing 39.02 per cent, were female.

Mr Areghan further added that 1,437,629 candidates, representing 89.79 per cent, have their results fully processed and released while 163,418 candidates, representing 10.21 per cent, have a few of their subjects “still being processed due to some issues being resolved.

“Efforts are, however, being made to speedily complete the processing to enable all the affected candidates to get their results fully processed and released within the next one week,” he said.

He, however, noted that the results of 365,564 candidates, representing 22.83 per cent of the total number of candidates that sat the examination, are being withheld in connection with various cases of examination malpractice.

“This is 11.74 per cent higher than the 10.9 per cent recorded in the WASSCE for School Candidates, 2021.”

He linked the high number of such cases to the poor preparation by candidates, saying “preparations for examinations are poor.”