Over 56,000 candidates have registered for the 2026 West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) for Private Candidates (Second Series), as the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) reaffirms that computer-based testing (CBT) is significantly curbing examination malpractice.
Suleiman Kum, the Head of WAEC’s National Office, made this disclosure on Saturday during an inspection of the CBT English Language exam at the WAEC Training and Testing Centre in Ogba, Lagos.
Of the total registrations, roughly 272 were walk-in candidates enrolling for specific individual subjects. Lagos State led candidate volume, accounting for over 22,000 applicants, including 50 walk-in candidates.
Kum noted that adopting CBT since 2024 has drastically strengthened examination credibility and transparency across Nigeria. “We have discovered that Computer-Based Test is truly the best way to conduct examinations because malpractice is drastically reduced,”* Kum said.
To maintain integrity, officials strictly search candidates prior to entry to intercept contraband. *”We do not set traps for candidates; we want to prevent malpractice by ensuring they enter the examination hall without unauthorised materials,”* Kum explained, adding that WAEC remains committed to setting the benchmark for educational assessment standards.
Kum urged candidates to prepare thoroughly by studying past questions, marking schemes, and official Chief Examiners’ reports. He emphasised that these reports detail common candidate mistakes, strengths, and ideal answer structures to boost overall performance.
The 2026 private WASSCE exercise coincides with recent key leadership changes at the council:
Suleiman Kum assumed office as Head of the Nigeria National Office in October 2026. Having joined WAEC in 1998, he previously built extensive experience in examination security and administration.
Amos Dangut, who served as Head of the Nigeria National Office from October 2023, was elevated to Registrar and Chief Executive Officer of WAEC. His five-year tenure runs from October 1, 2026, to September 2031. During his previous role, Dangut spearheaded the transition to computer-based testing, serialised question papers, and digital electronic marking systems.
