Anxiety Grows as WAEC Results Delay Threatens University Admission Dreams

Tension is rising among students, parents, and schools across Nigeria as over 1.9 million candidates await the release of the 2025 WASSCE results — a key requirement for university and polytechnic admissions.

The results, expected by August 4, will determine if many of these students can move on to tertiary education. Although several private universities began admissions early, the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) recently fixed the cut-off at 150 for universities and 100 for polytechnics and colleges of education. But even with high UTME scores, many candidates remain in limbo due to their “awaiting result” status.

Out of 1.9 million students who scored above 100 in the UTME, nearly 500,000 are still waiting for their WAEC results. More than 170,000 of those who scored above 200 in the UTME fall in this category, raising concerns about their eligibility for admission.

The most critical hurdle remains the mandatory five credit passes — including English Language and Mathematics — required for all major courses.

Parents and students are increasingly anxious. Mr. Ojo Babatunde, whose daughter scored 288 and chose UNILAG for Accounting, said she’s particularly worried about the English Language exam. Another parent, Mrs. Ronke Olagunju, said her son didn’t register for NECO and is depending solely on his WAEC result after scoring 263 in the UTME for Computer Science at UI.

Several students shared their fears. Ndubisi Nnemeka, aiming for Medicine at UNN, scored 293 but said WASSCE would be the real test. Kelvin Ukwu, who wants to study at Dave Umahi Federal University of Health Sciences, scored 271 but admitted he wasn’t confident in all subjects. Others, like Ajamobe Babajide and Jessica Ugo, said they took NECO as a backup because of uncertainties surrounding their WAEC performance.

Director of Rockford College and AFED President, Orji Emmanuel, said the delay is understandable but stressful for all parties involved. “This is a high-stakes exam. It shapes the academic future of these young people. The longer the wait, the more the anxiety builds,” he said.

As WAEC prepares to release the results, families across the country are hoping their children meet the key admission requirements — especially English and Maths — and can finally move on to the next phase of their education journey.