Education
2023 WASSCE Begins Monday, WAEC Assures Candidates’ Safety
The West African Examinations Council says adequate measures are in place for the safety of all candidates that registered for its 2023 West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) for school candidates.
The council’s Head.
National Office (HBO) Mr Patrick Areghan gave the assurance during an interactive session with newsmen on the level of preparations ahead the examination nationwide, on Thursday in Lagos.Areghan stated that the examination had been scheduled for Monday May 8 to Friday, June 23, spanning a period of seven weeks.
The WAEC boss said that the council could not feign ignorance of the level of insecurity in the country, hence conducting examinations under such situation had been a daunting task.
According to him, there are many flashpoints all over the country, and conducting examinations in such areas, requires extra security arrangement.
“Consequently, we are liaising with the Inspector General of Police, Brigade Commanders, other security agencies and the various state governments to provide security.
“This is in order to ensure that the examination is conducted under a secure and safe environment. We have also sought the intervention of the Minister of Education in this respect.
“Similarly, our zonal and branch offices have reached out to various security outfits in their respective locations for assistance. Courtesy visits and other forms of appeals have been made and we have been assured of full cooperation of the security agencies to this effect.
“If and when the need arises, schools in insecurity-prone areas would be relocated to safe havens, with the full approval, cooperation and participation of the Federal or State Government concerned,” he said.
Speaking further, Areghan noted that a total of 1,621,853 candidates from 20,851 secondary schools across the country had registered for the examination.
He noted that of this number, 798,810 are male, representing 49.25 per cent, while 823,043 are female, representing 50.75 per cent.
The HNO noted that on the whole, the candidature for the 2023 WASSCE (School Candidate) increased by 13, 868 over the figure of 2022, which was 1,607,985, for the same diet.
He said that for the second time in succession, the council had successfully reverted to the May/June period for the conduct of the examination, describing it as remarkable.
According to him, the significance of this landmark is that WAEC and the various member States, with the exception of Ghana, have again found a common ground in respect of their academic calendars.
“This shows a massive recovery from the devastating effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. Our sincere gratitude goes to the minister of Education and his ministry for this memorable achievement and to the registrar to council, for his untiring efforts,” he said.
He noted that the council had established a “Self-Service” system for candidates, through the CHATBOT Platform.
Areghan stated that this was to enable them to access their entries, which in most cases the schools do not allow them to see, contrary to instructions.
According to him, the candidate Self-Service is a service on the Request Management System/Chatbot (https://request.waec.ng) that allows students to confirm data uploaded for them by schools in order to make necessary corrections (if any)on such.
He said that It provided two key services on the Request Management System — Confirmation of Entry/Registration and Confirmation of Continuous Assessment Score (CASS), among others.
On the issue of the use of National Identification Number (NIN) as requisite for registration for the examination, the WAEC boss noted that though not compulsory, the NIN was made a component of the registration requirements.
“The policy came into being in line with the directive of the Federal Government. Candidates were expected to supply their NIN at the registration stage, but it was not a compulsory requirement.
“This is in order to avoid denying many eligible candidates access to the portal/examination. Even after the registration exercise, candidates were still allowed to submit their NIN for upload.
” Therefore, no candidate was disqualified from registration as a result of non-submission of NIN at the beginning of the exercise, or even later,” he explained.
Areghan, however, frowned at deliberate efforts by some private school owners not to adhere to registration deadline.
According to him, the ugly development has been a huge challenge to the entire examination procedure.
“There was a very serious challenge of non-adherence to the registration deadline, to the extent that what we started on Oct. 10, 2022, with a set deadline of January 27 and eventually extended to March 31.
“It could not even end due to the shenanigans of some private schools who were in the habit of shopping for external candidates to make up numbers, contrary to the policy which does not allow the enrolment of private candidates for School Candidates examination.
“Entries eventually closed on April 15. The examination starts on Monday, May 8.
“But it will surprise you to know that some schools are still bombarding us with requests for entries, even after the pre-examination, examination and post examination materials have been produced and are being distributed to the various states of the federation,” he said.
On the issue of examination malpractice, he warned that the council would deal decisively with any kind, irrespective of who was involved.
According to him, penalties for involvement in examination malpractice will always, without compromise, be meted out to those found involved.
He said that such candidates, invigilators, supervisors, schools, and WAEC officials, among others, as would be penalised as approved by the Nigeria Examinations Committee (NEC).
Areghan said that the NEC was the highest decision-making organ of the council that deliberated on examination matters in Nigeria.
He said that council, on its part, had rolled out several awareness campaigns and organised seminars for school proprietors.
Areghan noted that principals, students, teachers and other key stakeholders in branch and zonal offices nationwide had also been exposed to such awareness campaigs, in order to sensitse them of the ills of the ugly trend.
“Similarly, we have made flyers, banners, posters and other forms of reminders to further keep the message afresh on the minds of all stakeholders.
“It is, therefore, on this note that I call on parents and guardians to encourage their wards to study diligently and desist from engaging in any form of examination malpractice.
“The media must play its watch-dog role too. The various ministries of education should call their principals, teachers and other officials serving as inspectors and/or supervisors, to order.
“Supervisors should desist from allowing candidates to make use of their cell phones, or availing the candidates of their own (supervisors’) cell phones
“Any form of aiding and abetting or collusion, should be avoided. Every candidate and examination functionary must play by the rules, which are well stipulated in the WAEC Syllabus and Guidelines for the conduct of examinations, issued to schools.
“Erring schools will be derecognised, erring officials adequately punished, while erring candidates would lose their results,” he warned.
He stated that in line with council’s usual practice, the results of candidates sitting the examination would be released 45 days after the conduct of the last paper.
According to him, the certificates will be printed and issued to schools in less than 90 days after the release of results.
He added that WAEC in Nigeria, in its bid to serve the Nigerian child better, had acquired a state-of-the-art digital certificate printer, that enabled it to print and issue certificates to candidates in record time. (NAN)
From Ene Asuquo, Calabar
As a result of the unresolved renegotiation between Academic Staff Union of Universities and the Federal Government of Nigeria, the Union has sent a message of
Imminent danger to industrial harmony in Nigerian University system.
In a press statement in Calabar, ASUU has warned that they would embark on an indefinite strict action in a few days to come because of federal government’s insincerity in keeping to terms after the 14-day warning strike and another four weeks of grace was given which will expire on the 21st of November 2025.
According to them, “We have gathered not merely as members of ASUU, but as citizens whose patience has been stretched far beyond its elastic limits.
Occasioned by broken promises, shattered dreams, and deepening crises in the education sector, we hereby express deep concern over government’s inconsistency and dilatory approach to agreements, engagements and negotiations”.They stated that the renegotiation of the 2009 FGN/ASUU Agreement was not a gift. It was an obligation to Nigerian University Lecturers. Government owes Lecturers their due wages and her citizens and the dignity of decent and functional education.
They maintained that the fight is for the survival of Nigeria’s intellectual soul, while outlining the issues in contention to include: renegotiation of workers’ Conditions of Service since 2009 in tandem with changing times and inflationary trends over the years, funding for revitalization of infrastructures, University autonomy, academic freedom, undue proliferation of Universities without assured sustainable funding.
The Union stressed further that Government grandstanding, insensitivity and silence are deliberate to destroy academic system and ASUU is ready to shut down totally and completely in a few days.
Recall that ASUU gave the FGN 14-day ultimatum to conclude the renegotiation which according to them was enough to made government do the needful and they watched to no avail. ASUU then graduated to 2 weeks Warning Strike, which was suspended after NEC of 22nd October, 2025 due to the intervention of well-meaning Nigerians, the Nigeria Labour Congress, parents and students to create enabling opportunity for a meaningful dialogue.
“Let the Federal Government return to the path of truth, fairness and good conscience. Let the government hear us clearly: they cannot destroy public education, starve lecturers with a slavish salary, deduct and withhold part of legitimate Lecturers salaries by way of 3rd party deductions, deny students a conducive environment for effective learning and expect peace”.
“ASUU has been consistent: we are not asking for personal enrichment. We are demanding that the government fulfills its obligations to the Nigerian people by funding education properly, otherwise, we shall resume the STRIKE itself; not the father or mother of all strikes”.
“This will be a total, comprehensive and indefinite strike action. We are ready to shut down for as long as the government wants it to last because he who has been pushed down fears no fall Education is the foundation of personal and national development,” the stated.
“The problem is not paucity of funds as the government posits but lack of political will to invest in the development of Nigeria. The figures and empirical data from Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) has revealed that in 2022, States received N3.02 trillion while in 2024, the figures rose to N5.81 trillion with an increase of over 62%. Similarly, federal allocations rose from N3.42 trillion in 2022 to N4.65 trillion with an increase of over 70%. This is clear evidence that the government has the capacity to pay Lecturers”. They maintained.
The Federal Government has begun training no fewer than 100,000 youths in 1,500 Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) centers across the country.
The Minister of State for Education, Prof. Suwaiba Sa’id, made the announcement on Monday in Kano.
This was during an inspection visit to Bayero University, Kano (BUK), where Sa’id assessed ongoing vocational training initiatives supported by the ministry.
“The administration is committed to expanding opportunities for our youths to acquire industry-relevant skills that will make them self-reliant and employable,” she said.
The minister said that the programme covered a wide range of trades including carpentry, welding, plumbing, ICT, automobile repair, tailoring, among other skills in high demand.
She said that the initiative was designed to ensure that beneficiaries of the programme became self-reliant, job creators and active contributors to the nation’s economic growth.
According to her, the provision of starter packs will complement the government’s drive to reducing unemployment and addressing the persistent skills gap in the country.
“The administration of President Bola Tinubu is committed to strengthening technical and vocational education because it remains a critical pathway to empowering young Nigerians.
“Providing starter packs will enable our youths to put their training into practical use immediately,” she said.
Sa’id commended BUK for its commitment toward implementing the programme.
She said that the ministry would continue to partner institutions that promoted innovation, productivity and entrepreneurship.
Also speaking, the Vice-Chancellor, BUK, Prof. Haruna Musa, said the programme was timely as the country continued to grapple with low employability, reduced productivity and slow economic growth.
Those, he said, were due to inadequate skills among its youth population.
Musa was represented by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic), Prof. Ahmad Tsauni.
He said the programme was designed to equip young Nigerians with practical and entrepreneurial skills that would enhance job creation, innovation and national development.
Musa encouraged participants to take full advantage of the opportunity by learning diligently and transforming themselves into agents of positive change in their communities.
“BUK will continue to invest in research, innovation and strategic partnerships to expand opportunities for youth employment and industrial growth,” he said
The vice-chancellor commended the Federal Ministry of Education and other partners for their support in ensuring the successful take-off of the programme.
A beneficiary, Muhammad Ali lauded the government for, what he described as, the timely gesture.
He expressed appreciation, describing the initiative as a crucial step toward youth empowerment and national development.
Mainstream Energy Solutions, a privately-owned power-generating company, has offered to support infrastructure renewal at the Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria.
This was disclosed in a statement issued on Saturday in Zaria by the Director, Public Affairs Directorate of the university, Malam Auwalu Umar.
He said the company also announced plans to partner with the institution on its 45th convocation scheduled for January 2026.
According to him, the form has also pledged to assist in the upgrade of the university’s internal roads, most of which were constructed in the 1960s and have never been rehabilitated.
“The institution’s nearly 30 kilometres of internal roads across its two campuses are currently in a state of near collapse.
“The company also indicated readiness to support the rehabilitation of toilets and improvement of water supply on the campuses.
“As part of preparations for the convocation, the company will give the 1,000-seater Abdullahi Mahadi Conference Centre a facelift ahead of the convocation lecture,” Umar said.
He quoted the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Adamu Ahmed, as expressing deep appreciation for what he described as a long-standing and growing partnership since 2017.
He recalled paying a courtesy visit to the company in Abuja earlier in the week to thank it for its sustained support.
He stated that mainstream energy’s interventions had consistently come at crucial moments, especially when the university’s energy cost escalated to an unsustainable N370 million in May 2025.
Ahmed said the university was particularly excited about the company’s plan to replicate a Kainji Dam-model power plant at ABU’s Faculty of Engineering; a project expected to revolutionise practical training and research.
He also described as “a powerful demonstration of belief in the future of Nigerian youths” the firm’s decision last week to convey 20 ABU students via chartered flight to the Kainji facility for a hands-on excursion.
“Mainstream Energy Solutions has truly set a benchmark for industry-academia collaboration in Nigeria, aligned with national development goals,” Ahmed said.
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