Hobnob News
Alarming figures released by the Lagos State Government have revealed that 26,592 public school students failed the 2024 West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE), triggering serious concern within the education sector.
At a ministerial press briefing held Thursday in Alausa, Ikeja, the Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, Jamiu Alli-Balogun, stated that only 54.3% of the 58,188 students from public schools passed the examination.
“Out of 58,188 candidates who took the 2024 WASSCE, 45.7% failed,” the Commissioner disclosed.
This disheartening performance comes in spite of the government’s significant financial commitment, with ₦1.577 billion fully covering the WAEC registration fees for eligible students.
“In 2024, the state government spent ₦1,577,794,000 to sponsor 58,188 candidates for the examination,” Alli-Balogun noted.
To ensure only qualified students benefit from the state’s sponsorship in future exams, biometric and facial recognition registration has been introduced. According to the commissioner, 56,134 students have already been successfully registered for the 2025 WASSCE under this updated system.
As a proactive response to the poor results, the state has launched a comprehensive intervention: The Eko Learners’ Support Programme, targeted at students preparing for both WASSCE and NECO. Introduced on January 14, 2025, the initiative aims to provide robust academic support to students across Lagos.
“This innovative support system reflects our unwavering commitment to strengthening the quality and reach of education across Lagos,” Alli-Balogun affirmed.
The programme features 320 recorded lessons in 10 core subjects including English Language, Mathematics, Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Economics, Government, Literature-in-English, History, and Yoruba. Each lesson, spanning 30 minutes, is being broadcast on Lagos Television (LTV) and will also be available on YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, and X (formerly Twitter), forming a comprehensive digital library accessible to all students.
Describing the programme as a game-changer, Alli-Balogun emphasized its role in fostering academic excellence, creativity, and critical thinking among students, irrespective of their background.
“Every child deserves access to quality education and the opportunity to excel,” he said, urging students, particularly those in boarding schools, to fully engage with the initiative. “Education is a lifelong journey, and this is a golden opportunity.”
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