WAEC launches digital certificate to meet global needs

As part of efforts to meet the demands of the changing world, the West African Examinations Council (WAEC), yesterday, launched its digital certificate platform in Lagos.

Head, of Nigeria Office (HNO), Mr. Patrick Areghan, who disclosed this at the launch, said with the advent of Information and Communications Technology (ICT), there is a need to integrate technology with students’ lifestyles.

Areghan said the council’s new digital platform was developed in conjunction with one of the world‘s foremost security technology providers.

He said it was being implemented to streamline the issuance and verification of certificates from all over the world.

The HNO explained that the platform involves mobile and web-based applications, designed, specifically, for candidates, individuals, institutions and organisations, adding that it could be used to recover candidates’ forgotten/lost examination numbers.

He said: “The development of the new digital certificate platform is in line with WAEC’s continuous record of meeting global needs, by using cutting-edge technology to improve candidates’ experiences as they seek to continue their education.

“We are evolving to meet the demands of a changing world. We have migrated from physical registration of candidates to online registration; online verification of results and online result printouts and more. Their mobility is of utmost importance to the council.”

Listing some of the benefits of the digital certificate platform, Areghan said candidates would no longer share photocopies of their certificates with institutions and organisations.

He stated that they would rather access and share copies of their original certificates, delivered straight from the WAEC database, noting that these records would instantly be confirmed and validated.

He said that it was about giving back to society, adding that it was a total package, a one-stop shop for access and validation of certificates.

Speaking further on the gains of the technology, Areghan noted that with the development, issues of result alteration would cease to exist.

According to him, it has also solved the problem of delay, doubt and faking, adding that candidates can access and share their results at any time, and to any location around the globe.

The HNO stated that the platform was designed in compliance with global best practices by ensuring that the data of candidates are protected.

He disclosed that results of candidates from 1999 to date could now be accessed through the platform, while those taken from 1970 to 1978 would be accessed by February 2023.