The West African Examinations Council (WAEC) has announced a new format for the 2025 West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE), featuring individualized question papers for candidates to tackle examination malpractice.
The initiative, set to debut during the upcoming WASSCE scheduled from April 24 to June 20, 2025, marks a significant shift in how the exams are conducted. Under the new system, no two candidates will receive the same set of questions—an approach WAEC believes will enhance the integrity of its examinations.
Speaking at a press briefing held at the Council’s national office in Yaba, Lagos, Dr. Amos Dangut, Head of the Nigeria National Office, emphasized WAEC’s commitment to innovation and integrity in assessment.
“As an organization committed to leveraging modern Information and Communications Technology, we are proud to introduce computer-based WASSCE for school candidates,” Dr. Dangut said. “This year, each candidate will receive a unique set of questions, reinforcing our fight against exam malpractice.”
This year’s WASSCE will accommodate 1,973,253 candidates from 23,554 schools across the country. The gender breakdown includes 979,228 males and 994,025 females—an increase from previous years, reflecting growing female participation, which Dr. Dangut described as “encouraging.”
To streamline the registration process, WAEC has incorporated the use of the National Identification Number (NIN), although it is not mandatory at the initial registration phase. “We wanted to make the registration process as accessible as possible while maintaining our standards,” he explained.
On the issue of security, Dr. Dangut acknowledged challenges posed by insecurity in some parts of the country. He assured the public that WAEC is working closely with the Nigeria Police Force and state governments to ensure a safe and uninterrupted exam process.
“Last year, we faced security threats in certain areas but successfully conducted the exams with necessary precautions,” he said.
Reaffirming the Council’s stance on integrity, WAEC warned of strict penalties for any form of malpractice. “Our zero-tolerance policy remains firm. Anyone found guilty of examination fraud will face the full consequences,” Dr. Dangut stated.
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