In a surprising turn of events, more than 31,000 students from public secondary schools in Lagos failed the 2024 West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE), despite the state’s significant investment of over N1.5 billion in examination fees.
The Lagos State Government made the announcement during the 2025 Ministerial Press Briefing on Thursday, held at Alausa, Ikeja. Mr. Jamiu Alli-Balogun, the Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, shared these figures, which reveal a concerning trend in the academic performance of students.
The Lagos State Government invested a staggering N1,577,794,000 to cover exam registration fees for 58,188 eligible students as part of its free education initiative. However, the results were disappointing: only 26,592 students passed, leaving 31,596 students—more than half—failing.
Alli-Balogun expressed his concern over the situation, calling for a review of the subsidy program. “We must continue supporting parents, but we also need to ensure only academically prepared students benefit from this initiative to avoid waste,” he emphasized.
In response to the poor outcomes, the state has begun implementing targeted interventions aimed at improving academic performance. One such initiative is the Eko Learners’ Support Programme, which was launched on January 14, 2025. This program focuses on enhancing exam preparedness for students sitting for the WASSCE and NECO exams.
The commissioner also highlighted that the state has made strides in addressing educational challenges. Approximately 30,000 out-of-school children have been reintegrated into public schools within the year under review. This is part of the government’s broader effort to reform the education system.
Additionally, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu approved N102.5 million in housing loan disbursements for 2024, supporting 93 new teachers and clearing 25 outstanding applications from 2020. Furthermore, between 2023 and 2024, a total of 4,353 teachers were recruited and assigned to various educational districts and the Lagos State Technical and Vocational Education Board (LASTVEB).
In a related update, the Commissioner for Tertiary Education, Mr. Tolani Sule, mentioned that Lagos is actively working to reposition its tertiary institutions to better align with the state’s development priorities and economic goals. This ongoing effort highlights the state’s commitment to improving education across all levels.
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