WAEC Raises Alarm Over Excessive WASSCE Fees, Says Education Ministry Is Taking Action

The Federal Ministry of Education 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 West African Examinations Council (WAEC) has disclosed.

According to Bush Radio Academy, the newly appointed Head of WAEC’s National Office in Nigeria, Suleiman Danlami Kum, made this known on Saturday while speaking with journalists during an inspection of the ongoing 2026 WASSCE for Private Candidates, Second Series.

Kum said the council was aware that some schools had been charging students amounts above the approved examination fees in preparation for the 2027 May/June examination.

He explained, however, that WAEC had yet to release the entry details for the forthcoming examination, while the Federal Ministry of Education was already working to address the issue.

“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,” Kum said.

He expressed confidence in the ministry’s efforts, assuring students and parents that measures were being taken to check schools that arbitrarily increased examination charges.

Kum recently assumed leadership of WAEC’s National Office in Nigeria, succeeding Dr Amos Dangut, who was appointed the council’s Registrar and Chief Executive Officer.

Providing an update on the ongoing private candidates’ examination, the WAEC official disclosed that more than 56,000 candidates had registered nationwide for the 2026 second series.

He added that approximately 272 candidates registered through the walk-in arrangement, which allows individuals to register for selected subjects after the main registration period has closed.

According to Kum, more than 22,000 candidates in Lagos State were participating in the examination.

He explained that the walk-in option provides an opportunity for candidates seeking to improve their results in specific subjects to register and sit for the relevant papers on scheduled dates.

The WAEC national office head also expressed satisfaction with the conduct of the ongoing examination, describing computer-based testing (CBT) as an effective approach to strengthening examination security and reducing malpractice.

He noted that WAEC began introducing computer-based examinations in 2024 and had continued to improve the system since its introduction.

“CBT has come to stay,” Kum declared, adding that the approach had made examinations easier to administer and helped reduce examination malpractice.

He further disclosed that candidates were searched before entering examination halls to prevent them from bringing prohibited materials into the venues.

According to him, male candidates were searched by male officials, while female candidates were checked by female officials.

Kum stressed that the screening process was intended to safeguard the credibility of examinations rather than deliberately catch candidates who might unknowingly possess prohibited items.

He reaffirmed WAEC’s commitment to conducting credible examinations and adopting improved methods to strengthen its operations.

The official also advised candidates preparing for forthcoming examinations to study diligently and practise with WAEC past questions and answers to improve their chances of success.