Over 1.9 million Nigerian students will take part in the first-ever computer-based West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) for school candidates, marking a major step forward in the country’s education system.
The West African Examinations Council (WAEC) announced this historic development during a press briefing held on Thursday at its National Office in Yaba, Lagos. WAEC officials say the digital examination, set to begin on Thursday, April 24, and end on Friday, June 20, 2025, will modernise the exam process and reduce cases of malpractice.
Dr. Amos Dangut, Head of WAEC’s Nigeria National Office said, “This is a major shift in how we deliver exams in Nigeria. The Council has introduced its maiden Computer-Based WASSCE for School Candidates, 2025.”
Dangut explained that this new system would not only improve examination delivery but also ensure fairness and integrity. He stated that no two candidates would receive the exact same set of questions, making it harder to cheat.
“It will interest you to know that from this year, two candidates will not have the same questions on each number. This is part of a paradigm shift in test administration techniques to uphold academic integrity,” he said.
According to WAEC, a total of 1,973,253 candidates from 23,554 schools have registered for the 2025 WASSCE. This is an increase of more than 158,000 candidates compared to the previous year. Of the total number, 979,228 are male (49.63%) and 994,025 are female (50.37%), showing that more girls are now taking part in the exam.
The 2025 digital WASSCE will cover 74 subjects with 196 papers, and more than 26,000 senior secondary school teachers will serve as supervisors across the country.
WAEC also assured that measures were in place to address security concerns that might arise during the exams. Dangut said, “Conducting examinations in such situations has been challenging, though surmounted. The Council has continued to partner with the Nigeria Police Force and state governments to ensure the smooth and hitch-free conduct of the examination.”
WAEC is taking a strong stance against exam malpractice. Dr. Dangut issued a warning to candidates, supervisors, and school officials to strictly follow exam rules. He revealed that each candidate’s exam paper has been pre-assigned and printed with their details.
Dangut said, “Any candidate who chooses to write a paper other than the one assigned will bear the consequences. The Council decisively deals with examination malpractice.”
He also called on parents, teachers, and school principals to play their part in discouraging dishonest behavior during exams.
He said, “School principals and teachers should sensitise their students to the dangers of this terrible crime against humanity. A word is enough for the wise,” he added.
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To help students succeed, WAEC has launched several online platforms designed to make studying easier. These include:
- WAEC E-Study Portal – Provides access to past questions, marking schemes, and learning plans.
- WAEC E-Learning Portal – Offers performance analysis and helps students overcome common academic challenges.
- WAEC Konnect – Allows communication and updates between candidates and stakeholders.
WAEC has also compiled past question papers and Chief Examiners’ Reports to help students understand how to approach their exams.
Dangut strongly condemned illegal websites that claim to offer WAEC questions and answers, calling them a threat to the future of Nigerian students.
He said, “Parents are hereby cautioned to desist from patronising these evildoers who are hell-bent on frustrating the efforts of WAEC. We shall, as usual, work hand-in-hand with the Nigerian Police Force to bring perpetrators to book.”
Dangut announced that the results of the 2025 examination would be released within 45 days after the last paper, and certificates would be issued within 90 days. Candidates will also be able to access their digital certificates through the WAEC Digital Certificate platform.
WAEC thanked all its partners, including the Federal Ministry of Education, state education ministries, security agencies, and the media, for their continued support in organising the exam.
Dangut concluded, “We remain ever grateful to all stakeholders for their continued support. We cherish the partnership of the media and urge you to join us in delivering a successful WASSCE for School Candidates, 2025.”
The introduction of a digital WASSCE marks a new beginning in Nigeria’s education system and shows the country’s readiness to embrace technology in its school assessments. As over 1.9 million students prepare for this new experience, WAEC says it remains committed to fairness, excellence, and transparency.