WAEC Registers 1.9M Candidates for 2026 Digital Exams

The West African Examinations Council (WAEC) has confirmed its readiness to conduct the 2026 Computer-Based West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE), with a total of 1,959,636 candidates registered from 24,207 schools across Nigeria. Dr. Amo Josiah Dangut, head of the Nigeria National Office, disclosed this during a press briefing on Monday at WAEC's national office in Yaba, Lagos.

The examination will commence on April 21, 2026, and is expected to conclude on June 19, 2026, spanning eight weeks. The registration figures show that 958,564 candidates (48.92%) are male, while 1,001,072 candidates (51.08%) are female, indicating an increase in female participation compared to previous years.

Candidates will sit for 37 subjects comprising 97 papers, and WAEC has introduced various digital innovations to support candidates and schools, including a digital certification platform and a chatbot for assistance. WAEC has also warned against examination malpractice and emphasized strict sanctions for offenders.