The West African Examinations Council (WAEC) has announced that the 2026 school-based Senior School Certificate Examination (SSCE) will be conducted entirely through Computer-Based Testing (CBT), urging students, especially those in SS3, to begin familiarizing themselves with computers.
Speaking during a public sensitization rally in Lagos on Wednesday, the Head of the National Office (HNO) of WAEC Nigeria, Dr. Amos Dangut, said the transition to full CBT for the May/June 2026 WASSCE necessitated a nationwide awareness campaign to ensure that students, parents, and communities including those in rural areas are well informed and prepared.
According to him, the campaign aims to help candidates gain confidence in using computers and become comfortable with the new examination format. “The sensitization campaign, which is ongoing across the country with our staff involved in all regions, is designed to reach every Nigerian regardless of location,” Dangut stated.
Addressing the recent removal of Trade Subjects from Continuous Assessment Scores (CASS) on WAEC’s online portal, Dangut clarified that the directive came from the Federal Government and relevant education stakeholders, not from WAEC itself.
He explained that the decision aligns with the revised secondary school curriculum, under which current SS3 students will register for the 2026 WASSCE. Dismissing claims that WAEC acted independently, Dangut said, “WAEC does not act arbitrarily. We are a law-abiding international exam body that follows the directives of education stakeholders.”
He further assured schools and candidates that many of the removed trade subjects have been reviewed, merged, or renamed in line with the updated national curriculum, maintaining their core content.
Dangut concluded by urging calm, emphasizing that the changes are administrative and reflect necessary curriculum updates, noting that retaining outdated trade subjects would serve no meaningful purpose.
