Warns against involvement in examination malpractices

The West African Examinations Council (WAEC) has announced that 1,959,636 candidates from 24,207 schools are participating in the ongoing Computer-Based West African Senior School Certificate Examination (CB-WASSCE) for school candidates.

Head of the Nigeria National Office of WAEC, Amos Dangut, who disclosed this while addressing journalists in Lagos, yesterday, said the examination, spanning eight weeks and three days, would end on June 19.

According to him, 958,564 candidates, representing 48.92 per cent, are male, while 1,001,072 candidates, representing 51.08 per cent, are female, which indicates a rise in female participation compared to the previous year.

He noted that more schools adopted the computer-based examination mode this year, following the success of its maiden edition in 2025, and recommendations from the Federal Ministry of Education.

Dangut also revealed that some offshore schools in neighbouring countries using the WAEC syllabus are enrolled for the CB-WASSCE.

Speaking on innovations introduced by the Council, he said that examination papers had continued to be serialised to ensure no two candidates receive the same question sequence.

According to him, the initiative aims to strengthen the integrity of the examination process and reduce malpractice.

He stated that about 29,000 senior secondary school teachers nominated by various ministries of education are serving as supervisors during the examination, adding that the National Identification Number (NIN) was included in the registration process in compliance with Federal Government directives.

Dangut, however, acknowledged the challenges posed by insecurity in some parts of the country but said the Council was collaborating with the Nigeria Police Force, security agencies, and state governments to ensure smooth conduct of the examination.

He, however, warned candidates, supervisors, and schools against involvement in examination malpractices, stressing that offenders would face sanctions as approved by the Nigeria Examinations Committee.

Dangut cautioned parents further against patronising rogue websites allegedly involved in examination fraud and added that WAEC would work with the police to track and prosecute offenders.

He also encouraged candidates to utilise the educational resources provided by the Council, including the WAEC E-Study Portal, WAEC E-Learning Portal, Chief Examiners’ Reports, and past question materials.

Dangut disclosed that the examination results would be released 45 days after the last paper, while certificates would be printed and distributed to schools within 90 days.