In a major technological shift, the West African Examinations Council has introduced the first-ever Computer-Based West African Senior School Certificate Examination for School Candidates.

According to the council, it is aimed at improving examination delivery and curbing malpractice.

Speaking during a press briefing held at the WAEC National Office in Yaba, Lagos, on Thursday, Head of the Nigeria National Office of WAEC, Dr. Amos Dangut, said the council was fully prepared for the conduct of the examination.

He said WASSCE for school candidates, 2025, would be held from Thursday, April 24 to Friday, June 20, 2025, across Nigeria.

He said, ?The Council has introduced its maiden Computer-Based WASSCE for School Candidates, 2025.

?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 revealed that a total of 1,973,253 candidates from 23,554 schools had registered to take the exam, an increase of over 158,000 from the previous year. Of this number, 979,228 are males (49.63 per cent) and 994,025 females (50.37 per cent), showing a continuing rise in female participation.

?The examination will cover 74 subjects with 196 papers, and over 26,000 senior secondary school teachers will serve as supervisors nationwide,? he said.

Dangut acknowledged the security challenges that had previously affected exam administration in some parts of the country, saying, ?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.?

Addressing the issue of examination malpractice, Dangut warned candidates, supervisors, and schools to adhere strictly to examination rules.

?The Council decisively deals with examination malpractice. Candidates? paper variations for the CB-WASSCE 2025 have been preprinted. Any candidate who chooses to write a paper other than the one assigned will bear the consequences.?

He appealed to parents, teachers, and school officials to discourage malpractice and called on media organisations to support WAEC?s awareness campaigns.

?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 said.

Dangut added that to aid candidates in preparation, WAEC had unveiled several digital platforms, including:

?WAEC E-Study Portal, which provides access to past questions, marking schemes, and learning plans, WAEC E-Learning Portal, which offers performance analysis and solutions to common challenges faced by students, and WAEC Konnect, which facilitates communication and updates for candidates and stakeholders.

He said, ?In addition, WAEC has compiled Past Question Papers and Chief Examiners? Reports for various subject areas to help candidates understand expectations and improve performance.?

Dangut also issued a stern warning to operators of rogue websites, describing them as a threat to the future of Nigerian students.

?Parents are hereby cautioned to desist from patronising these evildoers who are hell-bent on frustrating the efforts of WAEC,? Dr. Dangut warned. ?We shall, as usual, work hand-in-hand with the Nigerian Police Force to bring perpetrators to book.?

Dangut promised that the results of the 2025 examination would be released 45 days after the last paper, and certificates will be issued within 90 days.

?Digital copies of certificates will be accessible through the WAEC Digital Certificate platform, ? he said.

He affirmed Its commitment to conducting a credible examination in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Education, State Ministries, security agencies, and other stakeholders.

?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,? Dangut concluded. (The PUNCH)

Update news