Koko Maxwella 
ABUJA, Nigeria – The West African Examinations Council (WAEC) has announced new subject combinations for the 2026 Senior School Certificate Examination (SSCE), introducing major changes that affect students in the Science and Humanities streams.
Under the revised guidelines, Science students will no longer be allowed to take Economics, while Arts and Humanities students—including those offering Literature, Government, or History—are also barred from registering for the subject.
According to WAEC, Economics will now be restricted to students in the Business or Commercial department.
“The new structure aligns subject choices with national curriculum objectives and seeks to ensure discipline relevance,” a WAEC official stated in a circular issued on Friday.
The examination body said each candidate must register for a minimum of seven and a maximum of nine subjects, including English Language, Mathematics, and Civic Education, which remain compulsory for all students.
The 2026/2027 subject lists reaffirm the traditional division of fields — Science, Arts, and Commercial — each with distinct core subjects and electives. Science students will continue with Physics, Chemistry, and Biology, while Arts students will focus on Literature, Government, Languages, and History.
WAEC explained that the change aims to improve curriculum clarity and academic focus, adding that schools lacking laboratory facilities will continue to receive alternative-to-practical arrangements for science courses.
“The Council remains committed to maintaining standards and aligning its examinations with modern educational needs across West Africa,” the circular added.
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