The West African Examinations Council (WAEC) has intensified measures to protect the integrity of the 2026 Computer-Based WASSCE, as 1,959,636 candidates sit for the examination across Nigeria and neighbouring countries.

The Head of WAEC National Office, Amos Dangut, disclosed this during a news conference at the council’s national office in Yaba.

Dangut said that WAEC has strengthened its serialisation technology by ensuring candidates receive differently arranged questions, thereby reducing malpractice and preserving the integrity of examinations nationwide.

He said WAEC has equally strengthened its question serialisation system to ensure that candidates receive differently sequenced questions, reducing opportunities for collusion and malpractice.

He noted that the adoption of the computer-based examination has increased significantly this year, following its successful introduction in 2025 and strong support from the Federal Ministry of Education.

Dangut explained that several schools in neighbouring countries offering the WAEC syllabus also opted for the computer-based format, reflecting growing regional confidence in the system.

“This year, more schools have chosen the CB-WASSCE option due to its seamless nature, alignment with global best practices, and the success of last year’s edition,” he said.

The official noted that the examination, which began April 21 with practical papers, is scheduled to end June 19, adding, “It’s covering a period of eight weeks and three days”.

Dangut revealed that the 2026 entry figures include 958,564 male candidates and 1,001,072 female candidates, noting an increase in female participation when compared to previous years.

He also confirmed that about 29,000 senior secondary school teachers, nominated by various ministries of education, are serving as supervisors for the conduct of the examination nationwide.

“The council decisively addresses examination malpractice. Penalties will be meted out to erring candidates, supervisors, and schools, as approved by the Nigeria Examinations Committee,” he added.

On security, Dangut acknowledged ongoing challenges in some parts of the country but assured that the council is working closely with the Nigeria Police Force, state governments, and other security agencies to ensure smooth conduct.

He warned candidates, parents, and schools against engaging rogue websites and malpractice syndicates, stating that offenders would be tracked and prosecuted in collaboration with the law enforcement agencies.

According to Dangut, results will be released 45 days after the final paper, and certificates issued within 90 days, including access to digital certificates via its official platform.

The Federal Government has declared that any admission conducted outside the Central Admissions Processing System is illegal, warning tertiary institutions across the country that violations of approved admission procedures will attract sanctions.

The Minister of Education, Maruf Alausa, issued the warning on Monday at the 2026 Policy Meeting on Admissions to Tertiary Institutions held in Abuja, stressing that institutions operating parallel admission processes would no longer be recognised by the government.

He said the integrity of the admissions system remained central to restoring trust in Nigeria’s tertiary education framework, adding that the era of unregulated practices must end.

“Let me reiterate, without equivocation, that admissions conducted outside this framework are illegal and will not be recognised,” Alausa said.

He warned that institutions that continued to bypass the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board’s CAPS platform risked severe consequences.

“The era in which institutions operated parallel admission systems, often to the detriment of deserving candidates, must come to an end,” he added.

The minister further cautioned that the Federal Government would not tolerate any breach of admission regulations, noting that erring institutions would be held accountable.

“I have resisted many attempts at condoning illegality in the admissions process. I will not be a party to such actions.

“Any institution found to have conducted admissions outside the CAPS will be held accountable, and appropriate sanctions shall be applied without hesitation,” he stated.

According to him, heads of institutions in both public and private sectors must be aware that such breaches could attract serious penalties, including regulatory action.

“Heads of institutions, whether in the public or private sector, must recognise that such violations could result in severe consequences, including the suspension of operating licences or other regulatory actions, where applicable,” Alausa warned.

He emphasised that enforcement of the policy was not intended to be punitive but necessary to restore credibility and order in the system.

“Government will continue to enforce compliance with this policy, and appropriate sanctions will be applied where necessary. This is not a punitive measure; it is a necessary step towards restoring order and credibility in the system,” he said.

On admission age, the minister announced that the Federal Government had retained 16 years as the minimum age for entry into tertiary institutions.

“Following extensive consultations and policy reviews, the government has maintained sixteen (16) years as the minimum age for admission into tertiary institutions,” he said.

He explained that the decision reflected a balance between academic readiness and inclusivity, while noting that exceptional cases would be handled under strict guidelines.

“While we recognise the existence of exceptionally gifted individuals, such cases must be treated within clearly defined and rigorously enforced guidelines,” he added.

Alausa also commended JAMB for improving access for persons with disabilities, including waivers of application fees, describing the initiative as a step toward equity.

“This initiative is not only humane but also a powerful affirmation of our national commitment to equity and equal opportunity,” he said.

He further highlighted reforms in the education sector, including the implementation of the Nigerian Education Loan Fund to remove financial barriers to higher education.

“For decades, financial constraints have constituted a significant barrier for many capable young Nigerians,” he noted.

He said the interest-free loan scheme covering tuition and upkeep was a strategic investment in national development.

On transparency, he insisted that tertiary institutions must publish key operational data, including enrolment figures and financial allocations, to strengthen accountability.

Public universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education must operate with openness that reflects their public mandate,” he said.

Alausa also underscored the government’s push for digitalisation in education, including the adoption of computer-based testing and integration of emerging technologies in curricula.

He described the 2025 agreement with the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) as a turning point, aimed at improving welfare, funding, and institutional stability.

“The 2025 Agreement represents a decisive breakthrough in resolving a dispute that had persisted for many years,” he said.

He added that the reforms were designed to ensure uninterrupted academic calendars and restore confidence in public universities.

The minister also warned against examination malpractice, saying stricter verification systems were being introduced to protect the credibility of certificates.

“The credibility of our certificates depends on the integrity of the processes through which they are earned,” he said.

Alausa urged stakeholders to prioritise implementation over policy announcements, stressing that reforms would only succeed through execution.

“For too long, our sector has been characterised by well-articulated policies that fail to translate into tangible outcomes,” he said.

He called on participants at the policy meeting to uphold integrity, noting that the future of millions of Nigerian students depended on fair and efficient admissions processes.

“The decisions we take here will have far-reaching implications for millions of young Nigerians,” he said.

The minister reiterated the government’s commitment to building a tertiary education system that is inclusive, merit-driven, and globally competitive, before formally declaring the meeting open.

The Minister of State for Education, Prof. Suwaiba Ahmad, has reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to a merit-based, transparent and inclusive admission system into tertiary institutions nationwide.

Ahmad stated this on Monday in Abuja at the 2026 Policy Meeting on Admissions into Tertiary Institutions organised by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB).

The event also featured the sixth edition of the National Tertiary Admissions Performance-Merit (NATAP-M) Awards.

She commended JAMB for sustaining the annual policy meeting, describing it as a strategic platform for strengthening transparency, fairness and accountability in Nigeria’s admission process.

According to her, the policy meeting remains one of the most significant events in the nation’s education calendar.

She said it brings together key stakeholders to deliberate on admission guidelines, institutional capacities, quality assurance and equitable access to tertiary education.

“The meeting reflects our collective commitment to building an admission system that is merit-driven, inclusive, credible and responsive to national development goals.

“This policy meeting remains one of the most important events in our education calendar because it brings stakeholders together to discuss admission guidelines, school capacity and access to tertiary education,” she said.

Ahmad noted that expanding access to higher education must be balanced with maintaining standards, equity and integrity in the admission process.

She added that the ministry would continue to support reforms that promote transparency, efficiency and fairness while ensuring equal opportunities for Nigerian children to pursue tertiary education, regardless of gender, background or geographical location.

The minister stressed the importance of leveraging technology and innovation to eliminate admission irregularities and improve operational efficiency.

She also highlighted ongoing efforts by the ministry, in collaboration with regulatory bodies, to strengthen teacher education and empower colleges of education to award degree qualifications.

According to her, the initiative will improve teacher preparation and expand academic opportunities for students nationwide.

Ahmad further commended JAMB management and staff for reforms and technological innovations that had improved public confidence in the nation’s admission system.

She congratulated institutions and individuals recognised at the NATAP-M awards and urged them to sustain excellence and compliance with admission standards.

The minister also called on stakeholders to continue working together to build a tertiary education system that is globally competitive and accessible.

She said the system should produce graduates equipped with entrepreneurial skills, digital literacy and innovation capacity for national development.