, sparking concern over academic performance in the state’s education system.){kind=link}
The Lagos State Government has revealed that 26,592 public school students were unsuccessful in the 2024 West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE), sparking concern over academic performance in the state’s education system.
This was disclosed by the Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, Jamiu Alli-Balogun, during a ministerial press conference held on Thursday in Alausa, Ikeja.
According to the commissioner, out of the 58,188 students who took the exams, only 54.3 per cent passed, indicating that nearly half failed despite the state investing over N1.5 billion to cover their examination fees.
“The government spent N1,577,794,000 to sponsor 58,188 students for the 2024 WASSCE,” Alli-Balogun said.
To improve transparency and ensure only qualified students benefit from such interventions going forward, the commissioner noted that biometric and image capturing had been implemented during registration for the 2025 WASSCE.
This exercise confirmed 56,134 students as legitimate candidates for the state-sponsored examination.
In response to the poor performance, the state has introduced a targeted academic initiative known as the Eko Learners’ Support Programme, designed to enhance exam preparedness for students in both WASSCE and NECO.
Launched on January 14, 2025, the programme forms part of the government’s strategy to boost academic excellence across public schools.
The initiative will broadcast 30-minute lessons on core subjects including English Language, Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Economics, Government, Literature-in-English, History, and Yoruba.
The commissioner explained that the lessons will be aired on Lagos Television and made available across digital platforms such as YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, and X (formerly Twitter), providing a free and accessible learning resource for all students.
“It’s an inclusive educational programme designed to unlock the full academic potential of every child, regardless of their background or financial standing,” Alli-Balogun added.
He further encouraged students—especially those in boarding schools—to take full advantage of the new initiative, describing education as a lifelong pursuit that must be embraced with dedication.