Lagos State Students Fail 2024 WASSCE Despite ₦1.57 Billion Government Investment

Lagos, Nigeria — A shocking revelation has emerged from the Lagos State Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education, showing that over 31,000 students from public secondary schools in the state failed the 2024 West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE). The disclosure was made during the 2025 Ministerial Press Briefing held in Alausa, Ikeja, by the Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, Mr. Jamiu Alli-Balogun.

The focus key phrase, Lagos students fail 2024 WASSCE, now echoes concerns across the education sector, especially in light of the Lagos State government’s heavy investment aimed at improving student performance.

Over ₦1.57 Billion Spent on Exam Fees Amid Poor Results

According to Alli-Balogun, the administration of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu spent ₦1,577,794,000 on covering exam fees for 58,188 bona fide students in public schools as part of the state’s free education policy. The government’s intention was to ease the financial burden on parents while promoting access to quality education for all.

“The state government is committed to relieving parents of the burden of exam fees. But we must also prevent wastage by ensuring only qualified students benefit from this programme,” the commissioner emphasized.

Despite the commendable investment, the failure of 31,596 students in the 2024 WASSCE suggests a deeper problem rooted in the quality of instruction, student preparation, and learning environments within public schools.

• Education Minister Proposes 12-Year Basic Education Model for Nigeria
• https://www.thecheernews.com/nigeria-and-cameroon-two-powerhouse-nations-at-the-crossroads-of-west-and-central-africa-hold-a-unique-geopolitical-and-cultural-advantage/

Strategic Educational Interventions Underway

In response to the dismal performance, Alli-Balogun highlighted several initiatives designed to improve academic outcomes, including the Eko Learners’ Support Programme, launched on January 14, 2025. The program targets final-year students preparing for WASSCE and NECO, offering additional academic support, tutorial sessions, and mentorship.

The commissioner assured the public that the government is not just investing in exam fees but is equally focused on ensuring better learning outcomes through strategic partnerships, innovation, and infrastructural upgrades.

“We’ve introduced strategic interventions to address declining performances in WASSCE and other external examinations. Innovative solutions are being implemented, and we continue to invest heavily in education,” he said.

Massive Re-enrolment of Out-of-School Children

The Lagos State government also made significant strides in addressing school dropout rates. According to the commissioner, over 30,000 out-of-school children were re-enrolled in public schools within the state over the past year. This move is part of broader efforts to reduce youth disenfranchisement and social vices linked to illiteracy and lack of education.

The commissioner emphasized that re-integrating these children into the educational system is critical to the state’s development goals, particularly in fostering inclusive and equitable quality education.

Boosting Teacher Welfare and Human Capital

Improving education in Lagos goes beyond student support; the government is also prioritizing teacher welfare. Governor Sanwo-Olu approved ₦102.5 million in housing loans in 2024 for both pending and new applications from teachers.

The breakdown shows:

• 25 pending applications from 2020 were cleared.
• 93 newly approved housing loan beneficiaries were added in 2024.

Additionally, a total of 4,353 qualified teachers were recruited between 2023 and 2024. These educators were deployed across various education districts and the Lagos State Technical and Vocational Education Board (LASTVEB) to strengthen manpower in schools.

Tertiary Institutions Under Transformation

In a related development, the Commissioner for Tertiary Education, Mr. Tolani Sule, disclosed that Lagos State is repositioning its tertiary institutions to align with the broader economic and development goals of the state.

He noted that Lagos is aiming to create a competitive and innovative higher education system that is responsive to the needs of students and the labor market.

Conclusion: A Call for Quality and Accountability

While the Lagos State government’s investments in education are commendable, the reality that Lagos students failed the 2024 WASSCE in large numbers is a wake-up call for all stakeholders in the education ecosystem.

This development underscores the urgent need to strengthen instructional quality, enhance teacher training, and ensure accountability at all levels. Without these measures, financial investments may continue to yield poor academic outcomes.

The Lagos State government now faces the challenge of ensuring that future spending translates into measurable academic success—especially in public secondary schools where performance remains a key indicator of progress.

#LagosStudentsFail2024WASSCE, #WASSCE2024, #LagosEducation, #SanwoOluEducationAgenda, #LagosStateSchools, #EkoLearnersSupport, #BasicEducationNigeria, #TeacherWelfare, #EducationalReform, #NigeriaEducationStats, #LagosMinistryOfEducation,