The West African Examinations Council (WAEC) has released new enrollment figures for the 2026 West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE), revealing that female candidates now outnumber their male counterparts.
WAEC Announces Record Female Participation
Speaking at WAEC’s national office in Lagos on Monday, May 11, the Head of the Nigeria office, Amos Dangut, disclosed that a total of 1,959,636 candidates from 24,207 schools registered for the exam. Out of this number, 1,001,072 candidates are female, while 958,564 are male. In percentage terms, girls constitute 51.08%, while boys account for 48.92%.
Dangut noted that this marks a significant shift from the previous year, with female participation increasing and male participation declining compared to the 2025 cycle. “This reflects an increase in female participation and a decline in male participation compared to last year,” he was quoted as saying by The Cable.
Examination Schedule and Subjects
The 2026 examination began on April 21 with practical papers and will continue until June 19. WAEC also confirmed that 37 subjects will be tested, covering a total of 97 papers. To manage the exams, approximately 29,000 senior secondary school teachers have been selected by education authorities across the country to supervise the process.
WAEC assured candidates that results will be released within 45 days after the final paper, while certificates will be ready within 90 days. Digital certificates will also be available through its online platform.
Adoption of Computer-Based Testing
The council added that more schools are now adopting computer-based testing (CBT) following its introduction in 2025. This move aims to enhance examination integrity and align with global standards.
Enhanced Security Measures
Previously, WAEC introduced upgraded question serialization for the 2026 WASSCE, ensuring that candidates receive differently arranged questions to curb cheating. The council also confirmed stronger collaboration with security agencies and education stakeholders.
In a related development, the federal government announced that the National Examinations Council (NECO) will begin conducting its examinations using computer-based testing in 2026 as part of reforms to curb malpractice and improve credibility. The Minister of Education stated that the initiative aims to strengthen examination integrity, align Nigeria with global standards, and promote critical thinking and digital literacy among students. NECO’s registrar also confirmed ongoing system upgrades, expansion into multiple countries, and infrastructure improvements, including new offices and digital tools to enhance exam delivery and reduce malpractice nationwide.
