Varsities admissions: English, Maths requirement causes stir as students, parents, schools panic

By Gabriel Dike

Over 1.9 million SS 3 students will next week know their fate as the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) is expected to release the results of the May/June 2025 West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) that will determine eligibility for admissions into tertiary institutions, including universities, polytechnics and colleges of education.

Some private universities started admission before the 2025 Policy Meeting on Admission, which pegged cut-off marks at 150 for universities, 100 for polytechnics and colleges of education. Implication of this is that candidates who wrote WASSCE and NECO with good scores in the UTME may not be considered for admission.

Results of the May/June 2025 WASSCE, according to the council, will be released on or before August 4. After the agreed cut-off marks were released, attention of candidates, parents and schools shifted to WAEC for the release of WASSCE results. The examinations took place between Thursday, April 24 and Friday, June 20, making eight weeks and one day nationwide.

WAEC Head of National Office (HNO), Dr. Amos Dangut, had disclosed that 1,973,253 candidates from 23,554 secondary schools presented candidates for the school exams.

He said 979,228 candidates are males, representing 49.63 per cent, while 994,025 candidates are females, 50.37 per cent: “The statistics show a further increase in the number of females and males, respectively, compared to last year. However, on the roll, the candidacy for this year increased by 158,627 candidates, they would be examined in 74 subjects, made up of 196 papers.

“Our usual practice has been that the results of the examination will be released 45 days after the conduct of the last paper, while certificates will be printed and issued to schools in less than 90 days after the release of results. Results will be released along with the digital copies of candidates’ certificates, which can be accessed on the Digital Certificate Platform.”

Statistics on awaiting results statistics from the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) revealed that many of the candidates who wrote the 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) fall under awaiting results category.

Of 571,584 candidates who scored 200 and above, 170,908 are awaiting results of WASSCE. Of 763,731 with 190 and above, 226, 167 are awaiting results while of 1,003,253 candidates with 180 and above, 290,709 are awaiting results. Of 1,284,375, who got 170 and above, 359,243 are awaiting results. Of 1,569,742 who scored 160 and above, 421,656 are awaiting results. Of 1,790,093 with 150 and above scores, 464,857 wrote UTME as awaiting results. Out of 1,901,757 who scored 140 and above, 484,842 are awaiting results.

From 1,934,737 with 130 and above, 490,378 are on awaiting results; 1,940, 970 who scored 120 and above, 491,404 on awaiting results and out of 1,943,570 candidates with 100 and above, 491,838 were expecting results when they wrote UTME.

Attention of parents, students and schools is now on WAEC. The awaiting result candidates would require five credits including English Language and General Mathematics as a major requirement of any course to secure admission.

Mr. Ojo Babatunde whose daughter scored 288 for Accounting and picked the University of Lagos (UNILAG), said: “My daughter and I have been anxiously waiting for the release of the WASSCE results. I hope she gets the required five credits for the course. She wrote English Language exam late in the evening and she is worried about the subject because it was written under tension.”

Mrs. Ronke Olagunju, marketing consultant, Lagos. Her son scored 263 and wants to study Computer Science at University of Ibadan (UI): “My son is anxious to know when the WASSCE result will be out. He was very happy with the agreed cut-off marks. I didn’t register him for NECO, so his hope is based on his performance in WAEC.”

Ndubisi Nnemeka, student, Royal Academy, Egbeda, Lagos, said: “I scored 293 in the UTME after the second attempt (mop-up). I want to study Medicine and Surgery at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN). After the announced cut-off marks of 150 for universities, I felt confident with my UTME score. But my WASSCE result will be a determinant factor and I hope I clear my result.”

Kelvin Ukwu, student, Caleb International College, Magodo, Lagos, scored 271 in his second attempt. He wants to study Medicine and Surgery at Dave Umahi Federal University of Health Sciences, Ebonyi, he said: “I am not 100 percent sure of some subjects. But I have no issue with English Language as the school finished the exam around 6.00pm.” Ajamobe Babajide, student, Faith Academy, Ogba, Ikeja, Lagos, scored 239. He aspires to study Computer Engineering at UNILAG): “I did my best in my exams, but I am still a little bit anxious. I expect that no subject would have a grade below Pass. I wrote the NECO examination because not only was it compulsory in my school, but I took it as a backup plan for WAEC.”

Jessica Ugo, Command Day Secondary School, Oshodi, Lagos, scored 245. She is hoping to study Pharmacy at Abia State University, Uturu: “I am not aware of the exact date the results will be released.

“But I hope my result will be perfect because I spent time preparing for the exam. I did NECO examination as a backup for WAEC because I cannot predict my results. Luckily, my school made it compulsory.”

Orji Emmanuel, Director, Rockford College, Aga, Ikorodu Lagos and President, Association for Formidable Educational Development (AFED), told Daily Sun: “Candidates, parents and schools are indeed justified in feeling anxious about the WASSCE results. The delay is causing anxiety among stakeholders.

“WASSCE results play a crucial role in determining candidates’ eligibility for admission into tertiary institutions, making them a high-stakes examination. Anything that happens to it cannot just affect the students but our collective future.

“Candidates who wrote UTME as awaiting results are likely feeling anxious about their performance and how it will affect their chances of getting into their preferred tertiary institutions.

“The students are uncertain about their future. The outcome of WASSCE results will determine the next steps for the candidates, making them eager to know their fate. Candidates may feel pressure to meet the expectations of their parents, teachers, or themselves, adding to their anxiety levels.

“As these students await their WASSCE results, expected to be released in the first week of August, they can’t help but think about their academic future, which will be determined by their performances in the school exams.”