The Federal Government is taking steps to prevent schools from imposing excessive charges on students registering for the 2027 May/June West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE).
The Head of the National Office of the West African Examinations Council (WAEC), Suleiman Danlami Kum, disclosed this on Saturday while inspecting the 2026 WASSCE for Private Candidates, Second Series. He said some schools had previously charged students more than the approved examination fee, adding that the Federal Ministry of Education was working to address the practice.
“We know in the past that schools have been charging more than the examination fee. But I want to tell you that the Federal Minister of Education is not just sitting down. We thank God for the Minister of Education we have. I want to assure you that something is being done by the Federal Ministry of Education now to check those schools that are increasing these examination fees arbitrarily,” he said.
Kum explained that entries for the 2027 May/June examination had not yet been released, adding that schools would have to await the official registration process and applicable fees.
The WAEC official recently succeeded Dr Amos Dangut as the council’s Head of National Office.
Meanwhile, more than 56,000 candidates registered for the 2026 WASSCE for Private Candidates, Second Series, across Nigeria, including about 272 walk-in candidates. Lagos State recorded more than 22,000 candidates.
Walk-in candidates are those who register for selected subjects after the main registration period has closed. They are permitted to sit the relevant papers according to the examination timetable.
On the adoption of computer-based testing (CBT), Kum expressed satisfaction with the system, which WAEC began implementing in 2024.
“CBT has come to stay,” he said.
He added that the system was helping to improve the examination process and reduce malpractice. He urged candidates to prepare adequately and make effective use of WAEC past questions and answers.
Kum also explained that candidates were searched before entering examination halls as part of measures to prevent malpractice. Male officials searched male candidates, while female officials searched female candidates.
He said the exercise was intended to protect the integrity of the examination and prevent prohibited materials from being taken into the halls.
