In a concerning development, the Lagos State Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education has disclosed that over 26,000 students in the state failed the 2024 West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE). The announcement has sparked renewed calls for urgent reforms and improved educational strategies across public and private secondary schools.
The Commissioner made this revelation during a press briefing held at the Ministry of Education in Alausa, Ikeja. According to him, out of the total number of candidates who sat for the examination in Lagos, a significant percentage failed to obtain credits in at least five subjects, including Mathematics and English Language — both core requirements for university admission in Nigeria.
“This result is a wake-up call,” the Commissioner stated. “It reflects deeper issues in our education system, including poor study habits, underqualified teachers, overcrowded classrooms, and a lack of learning resources in many schools across the state.”
While acknowledging the efforts of some schools that recorded impressive performances, the Commissioner emphasized the need for collective responsibility. He also mentioned that the government would be conducting a thorough review of schools with consistently poor results and might consider sanctions or interventions where necessary.
Parents, educators, and stakeholders have reacted strongly to the report. Some blame the failure rate on insufficient government investment in public education, while others cite the lack of motivation among students and a growing dependency on “miracle centers” rather than genuine learning.
To address the crisis, the Lagos State government has unveiled plans to introduce new teacher training programs, invest in digital learning tools, and implement stricter supervision of classroom activities. The Commissioner also hinted at launching a special intervention scheme targeting schools with historically low WASSCE success rates.
Education advocates are calling for a broader approach that includes parental involvement, curriculum reform, and better incentives for teachers. They argue that unless the root causes are addressed, the trend may worsen in subsequent years.
The WASSCE failure rate in Lagos, a state often considered a leader in education in Nigeria, is a sobering reminder of the systemic challenges plaguing the sector. As the government moves to tackle the issue, many hope that the outcome will be better-prepared students and improved national performance in future examinations.
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