The West African Examinations Council has stepped up examination security measures as 1,959,636 candidates take the 2026 Computer-Based West African Senior School Certificate Examination across Nigeria and other participating countries.
The Head of WAEC National Office, Amos Dangut, disclosed this during a press briefing at the council’s office in Yaba, Lagos, noting that the body has strengthened its systems to curb malpractice and protect the credibility of the examination.
Dangut explained that WAEC has enhanced its question serialisation technology, ensuring that candidates receive questions in different sequences to reduce collusion during the examination.
“This innovation ensures that no two candidates have the same question sequence, thereby upholding the academic and moral integrity of the National Policy on Education,” he said.
He added that adoption of the computer-based format has increased significantly in 2026, following its introduction in 2025 and support from education authorities.
According to WAEC, participation in the CB-WASSCE has expanded beyond Nigeria, with several schools in neighbouring countries also opting for the digital examination model.
2026 CB-WASSCE ENTRY BREAKDOWN
Male candidates: 958,564
Female candidates: 1,001,072
Total candidates: 1,959,636
Dangut also confirmed that about 29,000 teachers, nominated by various state ministries of education, are serving as examination supervisors nationwide.
He warned that WAEC would sanction any candidate, supervisor or school found guilty of malpractice, in line with approved examination regulations.
“The council decisively addresses examination malpractice. Penalties will be meted out to erring candidates, supervisors, and schools,” he said.
On security, he said WAEC is working with the Nigeria Police Force, state governments and other agencies to ensure smooth conduct of the examination despite security challenges in some areas.
He also cautioned candidates and schools against engaging rogue websites or malpractice syndicates, warning that offenders would be tracked and prosecuted.
WAEC said results for the examination will be released 45 days after the final paper, while certificates will be issued within 90 days, including access to digital certificates through its official platform.
Credit: ThePunch
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