The West African Examinations Council has assured candidates and stakeholders that the technical glitches experienced during the 2025 West African Senior School Certificate Examination will not happen again during the 2026 examination cycle.
WAEC made the assurance while unveiling new safeguards and upgraded systems aimed at improving examination administration and result processing nationwide.
The Head of the Nigeria National Office of WAEC, Dr Amos Dangut, spoke during a press briefing at the council’s headquarters in Yaba, Lagos, on Monday.
According to him, the council has corrected all issues that affected the 2025 WASSCE and strengthened its operational framework to prevent future disruptions.
“We have learnt from our glitches. We have perfected everything, and I speak authoritatively that we will not have a repeat of that glitch,” Dangut said.
WAEC upgrades systems for 2026 WASSCE
The examination body explained that new measures have been introduced to strengthen examination centres and improve the computer-based testing system.
Dangut said centres are now required to maintain multiple power sources before they can be approved for CBT examinations.
“Any centre must have more than one power source—national grid, generator and solar. At least two must be functional,” he stated.
He also revealed that WAEC improved the stability of its CBT system to ensure examinations can continue even in areas with poor internet connectivity.
According to him, the system does not need to remain online throughout the examination period for candidates to complete their tests successfully.
Over 450 schools adopt CBT mode
WAEC disclosed that more schools are now adopting computer-based examinations across Nigeria.
Dangut said the number of schools using CBT for the 2026 WASSCE increased from fewer than 40 schools in 2025 to about 450 schools nationwide.
He explained that schools voluntarily join the CBT programme after meeting the council’s technical requirements and passing inspection exercises.
Despite the expansion of CBT, WAEC noted that the examination body is still operating a dual system where some schools use traditional pen-and-paper methods while others use computer-based testing.
The council also confirmed that objective questions are answered electronically, while essay questions are still written manually in most centres.
Nearly two million candidates sit for 2026 WASSCE
WAEC revealed that 1,959,636 candidates from 24,207 schools registered for the 2026 WASSCE examination.
According to the council, female candidates slightly outnumber male candidates this year.
The examination began on April 21 and is expected to end on June 19, 2026.
WAEC added that candidates will sit for 37 subjects covering 97 papers, while approximately 29,000 teachers are serving as supervisors nationwide.
WAEC promises timely release of results
The council assured candidates that results would be released within the usual timeline after the completion of the examination.
Dangut said results would be released 45 days after the final paper, while certificates would be issued within 90 days.
He also confirmed that digital certificates would remain accessible through the WAEC Digital Certificate platform.
On examination malpractice, the council dismissed claims that candidates must pay to access information relating to withheld results or malpractice investigations.
According to WAEC, affected candidates can check their status online and defend themselves without purchasing scratch cards.
WAEC collaborates with security agencies
The examination body further stated that it is working with security agencies to guarantee the safety of candidates, officials and examination materials across the country.
Dangut said WAEC collaborates with the police, military and vigilante groups, especially in areas facing insecurity.
He added that candidates are sometimes relocated from unsafe locations to secure centres to ensure smooth conduct of the examination.
The council also appealed to political stakeholders to avoid fixing elections or national activities that could clash with examination schedules.
