West African Examinations Council don tighten measures against examination malpractice as nearly two million candidates register for the 2026 Computer-Based West African Senior School Certificate Examination across Nigeria.
For press briefing wey happen Monday for Yaba, Lagos, Head of Nigeria National Office of WAEC, Amos Josiah Dangut, say more schools don adopt the Computer-Based WASSCE, also known as CB-WASSCE, after the success of the 2025 pilot edition.
Dangut say 1,959,636 candidates from 24,207 schools register for the examination wey start April 21 and go end June 19.
According to am, 958,564 candidates na male, while 1,001,072 na female.
“This one show say female participation don increase while male participation reduce compared to last year,” he talk.
He say candidates go write 37 subjects with 97 papers, while about 29,000 teachers dey supervise the exams nationwide.
Dangut also reveal say the number of schools wey adopt the computer-based format rise from less than 40 in 2025 to about 450 this year.
To fight examination malpractice, WAEC introduce stronger security measures, including serialization and randomization of question papers.
“We go randomize and serialize our papers to make examination malpractice harder for offenders,” Dangut talk.
He explain say the system ensure say no two candidates get the same question arrangement.
WAEC also confirm say National Identification Number, NIN, now dey part of the registration process, in line with Federal Government directive.
On insecurity for some parts of the country, Dangut admit say conducting exams for volatile areas still challenging, but say WAEC dey work with security agencies and state governments to ensure smooth conduct of the examination.
“The council continues to partner with the Nigeria Police Force, other security agencies and state governments to ensure smooth conduct of the examination,” he say.
He add say schools in dangerous areas may relocate candidates to safer locations.
WAEC also warn schools, supervisors and candidates against malpractice, stressing say serious punishment await offenders.
“Schools wey engage in mass cheating go lose recognition, officials go face punishment and candidates go face sanctions,” Dangut warn.
He also caution parents against patronizing rogue websites wey promise leaked questions, saying WAEC and security agencies go track and prosecute offenders.
WAEC say results for the 2026 CB-WASSCE go come out 45 days after the last paper, while certificates go reach schools within 90 days.
Dangut add say digital certificates go dey available online within 24 hours after results are released.
