The West African Examinations Council (WAEC) has disclosed that a total of 1,959,639 candidates from 24,207 secondary schools across Nigeria registered for the ongoing May/June 2026 West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE).
WAEC made the announcement on Monday in Lagos during a press briefing on the conduct of the school-based examination.
Despite the increasing adoption of technology in examinations, only about 450 schools, representing 1.9 percent of the total number of participating schools, opted for the computer-based test (CBT) format. The remaining schools chose to continue with the traditional pen-and-paper method. WAEC noted that this marks a significant increase compared to the 40 schools that participated in CBT last year.
Speaking during the briefing, the Head of National Office (HNO) of WAEC Nigeria, Dr. Amos Dangut, revealed that one of the major innovations introduced this year is the use of unique question paper sequencing for candidates. According to him, no two candidates will have the same sequence numbers on their question papers, a move aimed at curbing examination malpractice and reducing copying during exams.
Dangut explained that the examination commenced on Tuesday, April 21, with practical papers and is scheduled to end on Friday, June 19, lasting a total of eight weeks and three days.
Providing a breakdown of candidates, he stated that 958,564 candidates, representing 48.92 percent, are male, while 1,001,072 candidates, representing 51.08 percent, are female. He noted that the figures indicate a rise in female participation and a slight decline in male participation compared to previous years.
The WAEC boss further disclosed that candidates would sit for 37 subjects comprising 97 papers, while approximately 29,000 senior secondary school teachers nominated by various ministries of education would serve as supervisors during the examination period.
He added that WAEC is working closely with the Federal Ministry of Education, state ministries of education, the Nigeria Police Force, and other security agencies to ensure a smooth, credible, and hitch-free examination nationwide.
Dangut also assured that measures had been put in place to prevent a repeat of the challenges experienced last year, when some candidates reportedly wrote their English Language paper late at night.
On security concerns, he acknowledged the level of insecurity in parts of the country and said the council had strengthened collaboration with security agencies to protect candidates, officials, and examination materials throughout the examination period.
According to him, the results of the examination will be released 45 days after the last paper, while candidates will be able to obtain hard copies of their certificates from their schools within 90 days. Digital certificates will also be made available.
He warned candidates, supervisors, invigilators, and parents against engaging in any form of examination malpractice, stressing that offenders would face strict disciplinary action in accordance with the law.
Dangut concluded by wishing all candidates success in the ongoing examination.
