RismadarVoice Reporters
October 17, 2026
The West African Examinations Council (WAEC) has announced that more than 56,000 candidates registered for the 2026 West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) for Private Candidates, Second Series, as the examination body intensifies its transition to computer-based testing.
WAEC’s Head of National Office in Nigeria, Mr Suleiman Kum, disclosed the figure on Saturday during an inspection of the Computer-Based Test (CBT) English Language examination in Lagos State.
Kum said the growing adoption of computer-based examinations was helping the council strengthen examination security, reduce opportunities for malpractice and improve transparency in the administration of its assessments.
The inspection took place at the WAEC Training and Testing Centre on Ijaiye Road, Ogba, Lagos, where candidates were participating in the examination.
LAGOS ACCOUNTS FOR OVER 22,000 CANDIDATES
Providing details of the registration figures, Kum disclosed that more than 56,000 candidates enrolled nationwide for the examination.
He explained that approximately 272 of the registered candidates were walk-in candidates who enrolled to address outstanding individual subjects.
According to him, Lagos State accounted for more than 22,000 registrations, including about 50 walk-in candidates.
The figures indicate that Lagos represents a substantial proportion of the nationwide registrations for the examination.
The WASSCE for Private Candidates provides an opportunity for individuals who are not sitting the examination through the regular school system to obtain or improve their senior secondary school examination results.
The Second Series is particularly relevant to candidates seeking to improve previous grades or meet academic requirements for further education and other opportunities.
WAEC SAYS CBT IS REDUCING EXAMINATION MALPRACTICE
Kum identified the introduction of computer-based examinations as a significant development in WAEC’s efforts to protect the integrity of its assessments.
He explained that the council began implementing CBT in 2024 and has continued to improve the system based on operational experience.
According to him, the technology has helped reduce opportunities for examination malpractice by strengthening control over examination administration.
“We have discovered that computer-based tests, popularly known as CBT, are truly the best way to conduct examinations because malpractice is drastically reduced,” Kum said.
He maintained that the system provides a more controlled examination environment and supports the council’s efforts to ensure that candidates are assessed fairly.
Although Kum reported a substantial reduction in malpractice, no comparative statistical breakdown was provided during the inspection to quantify the improvement.
CANDIDATES UNDERGO STRICT SCREENING
The WAEC official also explained that candidates undergo screening before being admitted into examination halls.
He said the exercise was designed to prevent unauthorised materials and devices from entering examination centres.
Kum emphasised that the council’s intention was not to intimidate candidates or create unnecessary obstacles but to prevent circumstances that could encourage examination malpractice.
“We do not set traps for candidates; we want to prevent malpractice by ensuring they enter the examination hall without unauthorised materials,” he said.
He stressed that effective preventive measures were essential to ensuring fairness and maintaining public confidence in examination results.
According to him, the council would continue reviewing its procedures to strengthen security without compromising candidates’ examination experience.
WAEC REAFFIRMS COMMITMENT TO EXAMINATION INTEGRITY
Kum said the examination body remained committed to introducing innovations that would improve the quality and credibility of its assessments.
He explained that technological improvements would continue to play an important role in modernising examination administration.
The WAEC national office head also highlighted the importance of maintaining standards that support public confidence in certificates issued by the council.
“WAEC will continue to improve to ensure that it remains the benchmark for examination integrity and innovation in Nigeria,” he said.
He assured candidates and other stakeholders that the council would continue strengthening its examination processes while addressing emerging challenges.
CANDIDATES ADVISED TO STUDY PAST QUESTIONS AND EXAMINERS’ REPORTS
Beyond examination security, Kum encouraged candidates to take personal responsibility for their preparation.
He advised them to study consistently, practise past examination questions and familiarise themselves with the requirements of the subjects they intend to write.
The WAEC official particularly recommended the use of the council’s marking schemes and chief examiners’ reports.
According to him, these materials provide useful guidance on examination expectations, common mistakes and areas where candidates frequently encounter difficulties.
He explained that chief examiners’ reports identify candidates’ strengths and weaknesses while offering recommendations for improving performance.
Kum said candidates who carefully review such materials would be better positioned to understand how questions should be approached and how answers are assessed.
He urged candidates to rely on adequate preparation rather than seeking shortcuts that could jeopardise their examination results.
CBT TRANSITION CONTINUES
WAEC’s increasing use of computer-based testing forms part of its wider efforts to modernise the administration of examinations in Nigeria.
The council introduced CBT for private candidates in 2024 and has continued refining the process.
The transition is intended to strengthen examination security, improve operational efficiency and reduce vulnerabilities associated with conventional examination methods.
However, the successful implementation of computer-based examinations also requires reliable technical infrastructure, effective supervision and adequate preparation by candidates.
The latest registration figures reflect continued participation in the private candidates’ examination as WAEC expands its use of technology.
With more than 56,000 candidates registered nationwide, the council says it remains focused on conducting credible examinations while encouraging candidates to prepare thoroughly and comply with examination regulations.
The 2026 WASSCE for Private Candidates, Second Series, is another stage in WAEC’s ongoing effort to strengthen confidence in its examination processes and uphold academic standards.
