The West African Examinations Council (WAEC) has announced tougher measures to curb examination malpractice in the ongoing 2026 Computer-Based West African Senior School Certificate Examination for School Candidates, warning that erring candidates, supervisors and schools will face stiff sanctions.
Speaking at a press briefing held Monday at the council’s national office in Yaba, Lagos, the Head of National Office, Dr. Amos Josiah Dangut, said WAEC had strengthened its anti-malpractice framework through enhanced question serialization, nationwide sensitisation campaigns and increased collaboration with security agencies to preserve the integrity of the examination.
According to Dangut, one of the key innovations introduced by the council is the continued serialisation of examination papers, a technology-driven system that ensures no two candidates receive questions in the same sequence.
He said the system, first introduced as part of WAEC’s digital transition, has been further refined for the 2026 examination to make collusion and answer-sharing significantly more difficult.
“This innovation ensures that no two candidates have the same question sequence, thereby upholding the academic and moral integrity of the National Policy on Education,” he said.
The council also disclosed that it has deployed aggressive awareness campaigns across the country through seminars, flyers, posters and banners to educate candidates, school authorities and parents on the dangers and consequences of examination malpractice.
Dangut warned candidates to attempt only papers assigned to them, stressing that any deviation would attract disciplinary action.
He said schools found engaging in organised mass cheating would be de-recognised, while supervisors and officials involved in aiding malpractice would be sanctioned in line with penalties approved by the Nigeria Examinations Committee.
“The Council decisively addresses examination malpractice. Penalties will be meted out to erring candidates, supervisors and schools,” he stated.
WAEC also issued a strong warning to rogue website operators who exploit candidates by falsely claiming access to leaked examination materials.
Dangut said the council, in partnership with the Nigeria Police Force and other security agencies, had intensified efforts to track and prosecute such operators.
He urged parents and guardians not to patronise such platforms, noting that doing so could jeopardise their children’s academic future.
To further strengthen examination integrity, the council said it had introduced an Examination Malpractice Portal where candidates can submit complaints and representations relating to malpractice cases.
The portal is part of broader digital reforms introduced by WAEC, including its Digital Certificate platform, WAEC Verify result authentication service, WAEC Chatbot support service, and electronic learning platforms designed to improve candidates’ preparedness.
The briefing also provided updates on the ongoing examination. Dangut disclosed that the 2026 Computer-Based WASSCE commenced on April 21 with practical papers and will end on June 19, spanning eight weeks and three days.
A total of 1,959,636 candidates from 24,207 schools registered for the examination, comprising 958,564 male candidates and 1,001,072 female candidates, reflecting a slight increase in female participation compared to last year.
About 29,000 senior secondary school teachers nominated by various state ministries of education are serving as supervisors.
He added that the inclusion of the National Identification Number as part of the registration process was in compliance with Federal Government directives and was expected to strengthen candidate verification.
Despite security challenges in parts of the country, Dangut expressed confidence in the smooth conduct of the examination, citing strong support from state governments and security agencies.
He assured candidates that results would be released 45 days after the final paper, while certificates would be printed and distributed to schools within 90 days, with digital copies also accessible through WAEC’s certificate platform.
Dangut reaffirmed the council’s readiness to deliver a credible and seamless 2026 CB-WASSCE and called on the media and stakeholders to sustain support for efforts aimed at restoring public confidence in Nigeria’s examination system.
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