Lagos leads 2026 WASSCE for private candidate registration with over 22,000

… as over 56,000 candidates take part nationwide

Lagos State has recorded the highest number of registrations for the 2026 West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) for private candidates, with over 22,000 candidates, as more than 56,000 candidates participate in the examination nationwide.

As the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) conducts the examination using a computer-based format, officials of the council revealed that efforts are being put in place to ensure the smooth conduct of the examination.

Candidates arrived early at the Auba examination centre in Lagos for the day’s paper, English Language. The exercise began with the screening of candidates to prevent them from taking prohibited materials and objects into the examination hall.

Sulimon Kum, the Head of the Nigeria National Office (HNO), during a monitoring exercise, said the council is strengthening its examination process through the adoption of computer-based tests, a system he describes as the future of examinations.

“Nationwide, we have over 56,000 candidates writing these exams. And out of that 56,000, we have about 272 candidates that registered as walk-in candidates because I was surprised to discover that some of them even know that they can zoom in on the questions so that it will be bigger.

“Some of them can do that; that’s something I may not be able to do, but you can see these young students doing it. So, I think it’s a very good thing,” he said.

He also cautioned schools that charge arbitrarily before registering candidates for WAEC examinations.

Kum advised candidates preparing for WAEC examinations to take advantage of technology and available learning resources to prepare adequately rather than resorting to examination malpractice.