Reported by: Oahimire Omone Precious | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
The West African Examinations Council (WAEC) has unveiled two major innovations aimed at curbing examination malpractice and enhancing the integrity of the 2026 Computer-Based West African Senior School Certificate Examination (CB-WASSCE), as a record 1,959,636 candidates from 24,207 schools sit for the examination across Nigeria and neighbouring countries. The Head of WAEC’s Nigeria National Office, Dr Amos Dangut, announced the measures during a press briefing at the council’s national office in Yaba, Lagos, on Monday, May 11, 2026, disclosing that WAEC has introduced a dedicated "examination malpractice quarter" on its website and implemented a new system for serialising examination papers.
The examination malpractice quarter is an online portal where candidates whose results are withheld due to suspected misconduct can check their status directly, without the delays that have long plagued the results release process. “Candidates can no longer complain about delayed results, especially those related to misconduct,” Dangut stated. “With our innovation of releasing results 45 days after the last paper, the status of candidates involved in any malpractice will also be posted on our examination malpractice quarter on the WAEC website.” This platform ensures transparency and eliminates complaints about delays or missing results, while also streamlining communication between the council and affected candidates.
Alongside the portal, WAEC has strengthened its question serialisation technology to ensure that no two candidates receive the same question sequence. The system randomises the order of questions, meaning that while all candidates answer identical questions, the arrangement differs for each individual. “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,” Dangut said. By eliminating the possibility of collusion where candidates in the same hall could share answers based on question order, the council has closed one of the most exploited loopholes in traditional examination administration.
The timing of these reforms is significant. The 2026 CB-WASSCE began on April 21 with practical papers and is scheduled to conclude on June 19, spanning a total of eight weeks and three days. A total of 1,959,636 candidates are enrolled, including 958,564 male and 1,001,072 female candidates, with female participation accounting for 51.08 percent of the total, marking an increase in female enrolment compared to previous years. The examination covers 37 subjects and 97 papers, with approximately 29,000 senior secondary school teachers, nominated by various ministries of education, serving as supervisors nationwide. Results are expected to be released within 45 days after the final paper, and printed certificates will be issued within 90 days, with digital copies also accessible via the WAEC Digital Certificate platform.
This year marks a notable increase in participation in the computer-based format, with over 450 schools registered for the CB-WASSCE, up from just 40 last year. Dangut attributed this growth to the seamless nature of the computer-based format and its alignment with global best practices. “Many schools have recognised the efficiency of the CB-WASSCE system. Education is evolving, and we are aligning with the recommendations of the Federal Ministry of Education to ensure that our examinations are world-class,” he remarked. He also noted that several schools in neighbouring countries offering the WAEC syllabus have opted for the computer-based format, reflecting growing regional confidence in the system.
In addition to the new anti-malpractice measures, WAEC has strengthened its collaboration with security agencies to safeguard the examination process. The National Identification Number (NIN) has become a prerequisite for schools registering candidates for the CB-WASSCE, adding an extra layer of identity verification. Dangut emphasised, “We are committed to the security of all stakeholders involved in the examination. Collaboration with security agencies is paramount to the success of this year’s examination.” The council is working closely with the Nigeria Police Force, state governments, and other security agencies to ensure smooth conduct, particularly in regions where insecurity has posed challenges.
Dangut issued a stern warning to candidates, parents, schools, and rogue websites against engaging examination malpractice syndicates, stating that offenders would be tracked and prosecuted in collaboration with law enforcement agencies. “The council decisively addresses examination malpractice. Penalties will be meted out to erring candidates, supervisors, and schools, as approved by the Nigeria Examinations Committee,” he added. The council has also intensified efforts to monitor online platforms where leaked question papers are sometimes circulated, working with cybersecurity experts to identify and shut down such operations before they can compromise the examination.
The Federal Government had earlier, in January 2026, announced a comprehensive set of measures aimed at eliminating examination malpractice in WAEC and National Examinations Council (NECO) examinations, including enhanced question randomisation and serialisation. The government also reaffirmed its commitment to transitioning WAEC and NECO to a full Computer-Based Test (CBT) model for both objective and essay papers by the May/June 2026 cycle. The latest WAEC innovations build directly on these policy directives, signalling a coordinated push between the examination body and the federal authorities to restore public confidence in Nigeria’s assessment system.
The adoption of the computer-based examination has also significantly accelerated result processing. Under the previous paper-based system, results often took several months to release, with candidates involved in malpractice cases waiting even longer as investigations dragged on. With the new CB-WASSCE format and the malpractice portal, results will now be available within 45 days of the final paper, and candidates whose results are withheld will know exactly why and when their cases are resolved. “Candidates can no longer complain about delayed results, especially those related to misconduct,” Dangut reiterated, emphasising that the era of indefinite waiting for withheld results is over.
As the 2026 CB-WASSCE continues, over 1.9 million candidates across Nigeria and beyond will be the first to experience these new anti-malpractice systems. Whether the examination malpractice quarter and question serialisation will significantly reduce cheating remains to be seen, but the council has made its position clear: the days of easy shortcuts are numbered. Dangut expressed confidence that these measures will help restore the credibility of the West African Senior School Certificate Examination, which remains a critical gateway for tertiary education admission across the region. “The council, in collaboration with the federal ministry of education, state ministries of education, the Nigeria Police Force, and other stakeholders, is fully prepared to deliver a credible CB-WASSCE for school candidates 2026,” he concluded.
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