Female candidates have again outnumbered their male counterparts in the 2026 West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE), as the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) expands the computer-based format across Nigeria and neighbouring countries.
WAEC disclosed on Monday that 1,001,072 female candidates, representing 51.08 per cent of the 1,959,636 total candidature, registered for the examination, compared to 958,564 male candidates, representing 48.92 per cent.
The figures show that female candidates have maintained their lead in the examination, though with a slightly wider margin than in 2025, when 994,025 female candidates, representing 50.37 per cent, and 979,228 male candidates, representing 49.63 per cent of the 1,973,253 candidates registered for the examination.
The Head of WAEC National Office (HNO), Amos Dangut, announced the figures during a press briefing on the conduct of the ongoing examination at the council’s national office in Yaba, Lagos.
According to him, 1,959,636 candidates from 24,207 secondary schools registered for the 2026 examination, which commenced on 21 April with practical papers and will end on 19 June.
Mr Dangut said the council also recorded increased adoption of the Computer-Based WASSCE (CB-WASSCE), following the successful rollout of the initiative for school candidates in 2025.
“While some schools enrolled for it last year, many opted for the traditional pen-and-paper mode. This year, more schools have chosen the CB-WASSCE option due to its seamless nature, alignment with global best practices, and the success of last year’s edition,” the HNO said.
He disclosed that some offshore schools in neighbouring countries using the WAEC syllabus also joined the computer-based examination system this year.
According to a WAEC official who spoke with DevReporting, less than 50 schools participated in the inaugural school-based computer examination last year, but about 450 schools opted for the digital format in 2026.
The council said the transition forms part of broader efforts to modernise examination administration, strengthen examination credibility and align assessment processes with global best practices.
Mr Dangut further explained that candidates are sitting for examinations in 37 subjects comprising 97 papers, while about 29,000 teachers nominated by Ministries of Education across the country are serving as supervisors.
Technology transition gains momentum
The council said it has continued to strengthen its deployment of Information and Communications Technology (ICT) to improve examination administration and reduce malpractice.
According to Mr Dangut, the council sustained the serialisation of examination papers to ensure that no two candidates receive the same sequence of questions.
“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 stated.
The council explained that the system was further developed this year to improve operational efficiency and examination credibility.
WAEC warns against malpractice, strengthens security
The examination body acknowledged prevailing security challenges in some parts of Nigeria but said collaborative efforts with security agencies and state governments have ensured the smooth conduct of the examination.
Mr Dangut, said the council was working closely with the Nigeria Police Force and other security outfits to combat examination malpractice and safeguard examination centres nationwide.
“We acknowledge the security challenges in some parts of the country. Conducting examinations under such conditions has been difficult but surmountable,” he said.
He warned that stiff sanctions await candidates, supervisors and schools found guilty of examination malpractice, stating that schools involved in mass cheating risk de-recognition, while culpable officials and candidates would face penalties approved by the Nigeria Examinations Committee (NEC).
He also cautioned parents against patronising rogue website operators claiming to provide leaked examination questions.
“WAEC, in collaboration with the Police, will track and prosecute offenders,” Mr Dangut warned.
The council disclosed that awareness campaigns, seminars and sensitisation materials had been deployed across the country to discourage examination malpractice and educate stakeholders on ethical conduct.
Digital innovations, result release timeline unveiled
WAEC highlighted several digital innovations introduced to improve access to examination services and strengthen result management systems.
The council listed its digital certificate platform, which enables candidates from 1999 till date to access certificates online globally, among its major achievements.
Other innovations include the Digital Examiners Marks System, WAEC Verify platform for institutions, Centre Locator system, examination malpractice complaint portal, e-study portal and WAEC Konnect platform.
Mr Dangut said the National Identification Number (NIN) was integrated into the registration process in compliance with Federal Government directives.
He further disclosed that results for the 2026 CB-WASSCE would be released 45 days after the last paper, while certificates would be printed and distributed to schools within 90 days.
“Digital copies of certificates will also be available via the WAEC Digital Certificate platform,” he added.
He also reaffirmed the council’s readiness to conduct a credible examination in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Education, state governments, security agencies and other stakeholders.