WAEC Deploys Tough Anti-Cheating System for WASSCE Candidates
Edino Chubiyo Cornelius 
LAGOS, Nigeria – The West African Examinations Council (WAEC) strengthens anti-cheating measures for the 2026 Computer-Based West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) as nearly two million candidates sit the regional examination across Nigeria and neighbouring countries.
Speaking on Monday during a press briefing at WAEC’s headquarters in Yaba, Lagos, Head of National Office, Amos Dangut, says the council upgrades its question serialisation system to curb examination malpractice.
According to him, candidates now receive questions arranged in different sequences, making collaboration and cheating increasingly difficult during the examination.
“No two candidates receive the same arrangement of questions. This is part of efforts to protect the credibility of the examination and uphold academic standards,” Dangut says.
WAEC records 1,959,636 registered candidates for the examination, including 958,564 male candidates and 1,001,072 female candidates, reflecting a higher female participation rate this year.
Dangut notes that the computer-based examination model expands significantly following its successful rollout in 2025 and support from the Federal Ministry of Education. He adds that schools outside Nigeria operating the WAEC curriculum also adopt the digital examination format.
The examination begins on April 21 with practical papers and ends on June 19, spanning eight weeks and three days.
WAEC also deploys about 29,000 senior secondary school teachers as supervisors across examination centres nationwide.
Dangut warns that candidates, supervisors, and schools involved in malpractice face sanctions approved by the Nigeria Examinations Committee.
He says WAEC collaborates with the Nigeria Police Force, state governments, and security agencies to ensure smooth conduct despite security concerns in parts of the country.
The council further cautions parents and candidates against patronising fraudulent websites and examination syndicates, warning that offenders risk prosecution.
Dangut assures stakeholders that WASSCE results will be released 45 days after the final paper, while certificates will be available within 90 days through WAEC’s digital platform.
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Korede Abdullah 
