LAGOS, May 6, 2025 – Alhaji Muhammad Ibn Musa, the National President of the All Nigerian Confederation of Principals of Secondary Schools (ANCOPPS), has offered a candid explanation for why Nigerian students continue to fall behind their Ghanaian counterparts in the West African Senior School Certificate Examinations (WASSCE), despite Nigeria presenting the highest number of candidates.
In an exclusive interview with TUNBOSUN OGUNDARE, Alhaji Ibn Musa acknowledged the recurring dominance of Ghanaian students in the annual WAEC International Excellence Awards. Ghanaian students have clinched the top three awards for the past two years, a trend that he attributed to deeper systemic and policy-related differences in the two countries’ education sectors.
He noted that while Nigeria contributes nearly 75 per cent of the candidates sitting for WASSCE in the region, the country faces persistent challenges that affect the quality of education, including inadequate infrastructure, inconsistent teacher training, and lack of political will to implement lasting reforms.
“The Ghanaian system is more stable, focused, and less disrupted by strikes or policy summersaults,” Ibn Musa said. “Their students enjoy more conducive learning environments, better teacher motivation, and a culture that emphasizes mastery over rote learning. Until Nigeria addresses its internal structural issues, beating Ghana consistently in WASSCE will remain a challenge.”
Commenting on the perception of widespread examination malpractice in Nigeria, Ibn Musa urged for more nuanced understanding. While he acknowledged the reality of exam malpractice, he warned against labeling every irregularity as a deliberate attempt to cheat.
“There are cases where students or schools are unfairly accused due to technical issues or systemic lapses,” he explained. “It’s important to differentiate between willful malpractice and administrative or logistical errors that can occur during large-scale national examinations.”
He also emphasized the role of school principals in upholding academic integrity, urging them to lead by example and work closely with teachers, parents, and exam bodies to rebuild trust in the system.
On broader education issues, the ANCOPPS President called for increased government investment in public secondary education, teacher training, and curriculum overhaul to reflect 21st-century skills. He stressed that until the foundation of education is properly fixed, Nigerian students will continue to face disadvantages both regionally and globally.
“Quality education isn’t just about the number of students you produce,” Ibn Musa concluded. “It’s about the depth of learning, discipline, and the values we instill. That’s where Ghana is currently ahead.”
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