However, 86,612 candi-dates, representing 29.17 per cent, obtained credits in five subjects and above, including in English language and Mathematics.

Head of the Nigeria National Office, Mr. Charles Eguridu, told journalists yesterday in Lagos that of total of 296,827 Candidates, consisting of 163,659 males and 133,168 females, who sat for the examination,  results of 38, 260 candidates, representing 12.88 per cent, were withheld for their alleged involvement in examination malpractices.

"Such cases are being investigated and the reports of the investigations will be presented to the Nigerian Examinations Committee (NEC) of the council in due course for consideration. The committee's  decision will be communicated to the affected candidates through their schools," he added.

He observed that there was a marked decline in candidates' performance compared with the results of the 2011 and 2012 examinations.

He attributed the decline to students' lack of interest in their studies owing to distractions from the devotion of their time to the social media and lack of values, among others.

According to him, the council would from next month partner states to run an academic clinic.

He said: "This is to ensure that educational standards are maintained. We have gone beyond just conducting exams and releasing results, we would run a clinic in each of the states in the country on how candidates should be taught, the use of curriculum, teaching methodology for teachers, among other."

Eguridu also explained that in order to check examination malpractices by mobile handsets,  "the council has made it mandatory for all schools to provide serviceable metal detectors which will be used to prevent candidates from smuggling mobile handsets into examination halls."

He said of the total number of candidates who sat for the examination, 299,784 candidates, representing 97.26 per cent, had their results fully released  while 8, 433 candidates, representing 2.74 per cent, had some subjects still being processed due to errors mainly traceable to the candidates and cyber cafes during either registration or writing the examination.

"Such errors are being corrected by the council to enable the affected candidates get their results, " he said

While commending the staff of the council for their immense contributions to the successes recorded during the conduct, marking and processing of the results, the WAEC boss said candidates who sat for the examination would be able to check the details of their results on the council's website within the next 36 hours.