The West African Examinations Council (WAEC) says no fewer than 56,000 candidates registered for the 2026 West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) for Private Candidates, Second Series.
The Head of WAEC’s National Office, Suleiman Kum, disclosed this on Saturday throughout an inspection of the Computer-Based Test (CBT) English Language examination in Lagos.
The inspection occurred on the WAEC Training and Testing Centre on Ijaiye Road, Ogba, the place candidates sat for the examination.
Kum mentioned the registrations included about 272 walk-in candidates who registered to sit down for particular person topics.
He added that Lagos State accounted for greater than 22,000 candidates, together with about 50 walk-in candidates.
WAEC says CBT reduces examination malpractice
Kum mentioned the adoption of computer-based testing was serving to to scale back examination malpractice, strengthen the credibility of examinations and promote transparency.
He mentioned WAEC launched CBT in 2024 and has continued to enhance the method to scale back malpractice.
- “We have discovered that Computer-Based Test, popularly known as CBT, is truly the best way to conduct examinations because malpractice is drastically reduced,” Kum mentioned.
He added that candidates have been searched earlier than coming into examination halls to stop them from bringing in prohibited supplies.
- “We do not set traps for candidates; we want to prevent malpractice by ensuring they enter the examination hall without unauthorised materials,” he mentioned.
- “WAEC will continue to improve to ensure that it remains the benchmark for examination integrity and innovation in Nigeria,” Kum added.
WAEC advises candidates on examination preparation
Kum suggested candidates to review diligently, practise previous WAEC questions and marking schemes, and browse chief examiners’ stories to enhance their efficiency.
He mentioned the stories spotlight candidates’ strengths and weaknesses and clarify how questions must be answered.
- “The chief examiners’ reports show candidates’ weaknesses, strengths and how they should answer questions, which can greatly improve their performance,” he mentioned.
What you must know
The registration announcement comes amid a management transition at WAEC, following modifications to 2 key positions throughout the council.
WAEC appointed Suleiman Kum as the brand new Head of its Nigeria National Office in October 2026, following the appointment of his predecessor, Amos Dangut, because the council’s Registrar and Chief Executive Officer for a five-year time period.
- Nairametrics reported that Kum joined the council in 1998 and held a number of roles in examination administration and safety earlier than his appointment.
Dangut’s appointment as Registrar and CEO took impact on October 1, 2026, for a five-year time period ending in September 2031. He beforehand served as Head of WAEC’s Nigeria National Office from October 2023.
Nairametrics reported that he oversaw initiatives together with computer-based WASSCE, serialised query papers and a digital digital marking system.
