OPINION: WASSCE Failure in Lagos – A Wake-Up Call for All of Us

The recent revelation that over 26,000 public school students in Lagos failed the 2024 West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) should concern not only the government but every one of us who holds a stake in Nigeria’s educational future. As an educator who interacts with young people daily, I witness first-hand how complex the problems are and how urgently we must respond with lasting solutions.

While the Lagos State Government, under Governor Sanwo-Olu, has made commendable investments in infrastructure and examination sponsorship—with over ₦1.5 billion spent on WAEC fees alone—academic success cannot be achieved through infrastructure alone. There are deeper, more pressing issues we must confront: discipline, distractions, motivation and the overall value society places on education.