By Wellington Jopelo
The West African Examinations Council has rolled out tougher security and integrity measures for the 2026 WASSCE as almost two million candidates begin the examination across Nigeria and neighbouring countries.
WAEC said the new measures are aimed at reducing examination malpractice and restoring confidence in the computer-based examination system now being expanded nationwide.
According to the examination body, candidates will now receive questions arranged in different patterns and sequences, making it harder for students to copy from one another during exams.
WAEC officials explained that the upgraded serialisation technology ensures no two candidates get questions in exactly the same order, a move expected to frustrate organised cheating networks.
The council also confirmed that the computer-based WASSCE introduced last year has gained wider acceptance, with more schools in Nigeria and neighbouring countries joining the system this year.
Head of WAEC National Office, Amos Dangut, revealed that 1,959,636 candidates registered for the 2026 examination, including over one million female candidates.
To strengthen monitoring, about 29,000 teachers nominated by education ministries across the country have also been deployed as examination supervisors.
WAEC warned that strict penalties await candidates, schools, and supervisors caught engaging in malpractice, adding that security agencies are already working with the council to track offenders and illegal exam syndicates.
The council further cautioned parents and students against patronising rogue websites promising leaked questions or special assistance during examinations.
Education analysts say the tougher measures reflect growing pressure on examination bodies to stop widespread cheating and protect the credibility of Nigerian certificates.
As the exams continue nationwide, many students and schools are now adjusting to a stricter system designed to make malpractice far more difficult than in previous years.