Lagos Raises Alarm as Over 31,000 Public School Students Fail 2024 WASSCE

The Lagos State Government has expressed deep concern after revealing that more than half of its public school candidates failed the 2024 West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE). According to startling statistics shared by the Lagos Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, Jamiu Tolani Alli-Balogun, a staggering 31,596 out of 58,188 public school students did not achieve a pass grade in the examination.

This figure represents a 54.3% failure rate, a statistic that has sparked widespread worry across the state’s education sector. Despite the Lagos government investing a substantial ₦1.577 billion to fund the WAEC registration fees for these students, the pass rate stood at only 45.7%.

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Failure Despite Investment: Calls for Accountability and Reform

During a press briefing held on Thursday at Alausa, Ikeja, Commissioner Alli-Balogun emphasized the financial commitment made by the government to support education. He noted that the ₦1.577 billion allocation was intended to cover WAEC fees for all eligible public school students, ensuring no student was left behind due to economic limitations.

“Suffice to say that the sum of ₦1,577,794,000 was paid by the State Government as examination fees for 58,188 students who were captured for the year 2024 WASSCE,” the Commissioner stated.

Despite this considerable investment, the results painted a troubling picture of academic underperformance. In response to this, the Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education has begun implementing stricter eligibility verification for WAEC sponsorship. A biometric and image registration system has been introduced to curb abuse and enhance accountability, capturing 56,134 students for the upcoming 2025 exams as verified beneficiaries.

The government’s concern has gone beyond just financial investment—it has spurred a new direction in educational intervention aimed at improving student outcomes.

Introducing the Eko Learners’ Support Programme

In response to the troubling failure rates, Lagos State has rolled out the Eko Learners’ Support Programme, an ambitious initiative designed to provide intensive academic support to both WASSCE and NECO candidates across public schools.

Launched on January 14, 2025, the program reflects the Ministry’s renewed focus on transforming the educational landscape by equipping students with the tools necessary to succeed. The initiative will deliver a total of 320 engaging lessons covering 10 core subjects, namely: English, Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Economics, Government, History, Literature-in-English, and Yoruba.

These 30-minute instructional sessions will be aired via Lagos Television (LTV) and supplemented through popular online platforms such as YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, and 𝕏 (formerly Twitter). This multi-platform approach aims to establish a digital learning library accessible to all students, regardless of location or socio-economic background.

Commissioner Alli-Balogun highlighted that the digital outreach is not just about broadcasting content, but about building an “eco-system that fosters academic achievement, creativity, and critical thinking.”

“Every student deserves the opportunity to attain their full potential. This is more than just passing exams—it’s about shaping capable minds for the future,” he affirmed passionately.

Empowering Students and Reinforcing Commitment

While the results from the 2024 WASSCE may be disheartening, the Lagos State Government’s swift response reflects a broader determination to tackle the issue head-on. By implementing systems to reduce inefficiencies and expanding access to quality education through technology-driven support, the government is laying the groundwork for long-term improvement.

Alli-Balogun particularly encouraged students in boarding schools to make full use of the initiative. “I urge and encourage students, more importantly, students in our boarding schools, to take full advantage of this initiative. Education is a lifelong journey, and what you invest now will determine your path tomorrow,” he advised.

The recent statistics may serve as a wake-up call, but the government’s proactive steps suggest a clear commitment to reversing the trend. With the Eko Learners’ Support Programme now in full swing, Lagos hopes to transform challenges into milestones in its journey toward academic excellence.