The West African Examination Council (WAEC) has recently released the highly anticipated results for the 2023 West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE).

As students and parents eagerly awaited the outcome, the examination body announced the results on Monday, shedding light on some noteworthy trends.

According to Patrick Areghan, the Head of Nigeria’s Office (HNO) of WAEC, 1,613,733 candidates sat for the 2023 examination. However, the joy of success was not without its challenges as the results of 262,803 candidates are currently being withheld due to reported cases of examination malpractice.

Amidst this concern, there is a glimmer of hope and celebration for a significant number of candidates. The pass rate witnessed a notable improvement with 1,361,608 candidates or 84.38 percent, achieving credit and above in a minimum of five subjects, irrespective of whether English Language or Mathematics was included.

Even more impressive, 1,287,920 candidates or 79.81 percent of the total candidates secured credits and above in a minimum of five subjects, including both English Language and Mathematics.

The increase in pass rates not only reflects the dedication and hard work of the candidates but also speaks to the effectiveness of educational institutions and teachers in preparing students for this critical examination.

It serves as a testament to the commitment of educators and students alike to strive for excellence in education.

Nevertheless, the issue of examination malpractice remains a significant concern that must be addressed head-on.

The recent move by the Central Bank of Nigeria to unify the nation’s foreign exchange rates has had a devastating impact on Nigerian students studying in the United Kingdom.

Following the floating of the naira at the Investors and Exporters’ Window, the value of the Nigerian currency has plummeted, leading to a significant increase in tuition fees for these students.

The sharp decline in the value of the naira has put immense pressure on many Nigerians studying in the UK, with some facing the possibility of dropping out due to financial constraints.

The United Kingdom has long been a preferred destination for Nigerian students seeking quality education abroad.

According to data from the Higher Education Statistics Agency of the UK, a staggering 128,770 Nigerian students enrolled in UK universities between 2015 and 2022. These students contribute approximately £1.9 billion annually to the UK economy, highlighting their significant presence and impact.

However, the recent exchange rate crisis has disrupted the educational journey of many Nigerian students in the UK. The increase in tuition fees, estimated at around 60 percent, has created a tremendous financial burden for these students.

As the value of the naira continues to decline, students find themselves struggling to pay the balance of their tuition fees, jeopardizing their academic progress and future prospects.

Numerous students have expressed their distress and frustration over the situation. Adejoro Deborah, a Nigerian student in Manchester, highlighted the adverse effects of the policy, mentioning that her sibling had to forfeit her admission due to the unaffordable fees.

Also, some students had kept their tuition fees in their naira accounts, expecting a different exchange rate. However, with the drastic depreciation of the naira, they now face the challenge of finding additional funds to cover the increased fees.

The impact of the exchange rate crisis goes beyond financial difficulties. Some students have found themselves stranded as their access to university portals is withdrawn due to unpaid tuition fees. This not only prevents them from accessing important academic resources but also hinders their ability to attend classes, both online and in-person. The emotional toll of being shut out of their educational journey adds to the distress and uncertainty faced by these students.

Intending Nigerian students who planned to study in the UK are also deeply affected by the surge in exchange rates. The Proof of Funds (PoF) requirement, which demonstrates a student’s ability to cover tuition fees and living expenses, has become significantly more challenging to meet. The increased exchange rates have inflated the amount of money students need to demonstrate, leading to a surge in PoF requirements. This, in turn, has made the application process more difficult and has deterred potential students from pursuing their educational aspirations.

The Form A application process, designed by the Central Bank of Nigeria, was expected to provide a solution for students paying for services such as tuition fees. However, students have faced numerous challenges, including delayed processing by banks and the subsequent increase in fees due to fluctuating exchange rates. Many students are frustrated by the bureaucracy and the lack of prompt action in converting funds and paying their schools.

The situation calls for urgent intervention from the Nigerian government. Parents, education consultants, and concerned individuals are pleading with the government to address the foreign exchange crisis and provide relief for the affected students. The National Parents Teachers Association has appealed to the Federal Government to collaborate with parents and academics to find a solution to the problems plaguing the education sector. Urgent concessions are needed for students who initiated Form A requests before the implementation of the new exchange rate regime.

The plight of Nigerian students studying in the UK highlights the broader challenges posed by exchange rate fluctuations and their impact on education. It emphasizes the need for long-term strategies to mitigate the financial burden on students and ensure their uninterrupted educational journey. As the Nigerian government grapples with these issues, students and parents eagerly await a resolution that will alleviate their financial struggles and enable them to pursue their educational dreams.

The number of Nigerian students enrolling in British higher education institutions has experienced an unprecedented surge, reaching a staggering 127,000 during the previous academic year.

This remarkable increase, marking a five-fold rise over the past three years and underscores the growing preference among Nigerian students for British universities.

In an exclusive interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja, British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Richard Montgomery, shed light on this significant development.

He clarified that the United Kingdom’s new policy on foreign student visas should not be misinterpreted as a deliberate deterrent for Nigerian students. Instead, the policy aims to effectively manage the pressure on social services caused by the influx of international scholars, ensuring sustainable growth.

“Three years ago, there were 20,000 Nigerian students in British higher education institutions, and last year, the number increased to 127,000. So, we had a five-fold increase in the number of students from Nigeria coming to UK universities,” revealed High Commissioner Montgomery.

He emphasized the robust people-to-people links between the UK and Nigeria, highlighting that Nigerians received a remarkable 325,000 out of the three million visas granted by the UK last year, representing over 10 percent of the total.

“We are delighted that UK universities continue to attract the best and brightest from Nigeria… Nigerians alone received 325,000 of those 3 million visas. So more than 10 percent of the visas from the UK are to Nigerian citizens, which is fantastic,” stated High Commissioner Montgomery.

Addressing concerns surrounding the policy change, he clarified that it primarily affects non-research degree programs and students who choose to bring their dependents. The rising number of dependents accompanying Nigerian students has placed a strain on housing and social services in university towns, necessitating adjustments to effectively manage the increasing demands.

“The words that are being used in the media to describe the situation are misrepresenting. We are making an adjustment that enables us to manage the demands on services in university towns and elsewhere,” High Commissioner Montgomery clarified.

Despite the challenges posed by the influx of international students, High Commissioner Montgomery reaffirmed the UK’s commitment to accommodating Nigerian students.

He expressed pride in the UK’s research institutes and higher education institutions, which rank among the top hundred universities globally.

“The higher institutions are very open to students going to study in the UK,” he remarked.