WAEC warns schools, exam officials against extorting candidates

The West African Examinations Council (WAEC) has warned school proprietors, principals, supervisors and invigilators against extortion of candidates sitting the 2026 West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE), stressing that it undermine the integrity of the examination process.

The examination council disclosed this on Monday through a statement signed by Moyosola Adesina, head of public affairs on behalf of the head of national office at WAEC Nigeria.

“The West African Examinations Council has received alarming reports of supervisors and some schools extorting candidates under various pretexts, including transportation of scripts, welfare packages, and unauthorized ‘cooperation’ fees.

“WAEC has also noted cases where schools demand payment for KAPEK calculators already provided by the council at no cost to candidates.

WAEC condemns these practices as illegal, unethical, and a direct threat to the integrity of the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE),” the statement reads in part.

Hence, WAEC directs all school proprietors, principals, supervisors, and invigilators to comply with the following, no collection of money from candidates or parents for any examination official.

Immediate reporting of any extortion attempt to the zonal coordinator/branch controller or via: [email protected] and [email protected].

Besides, the council all school proprietors, principals, supervisors and invigilators to ensure there is no harassment of intimidation of candidates in any form.

“Schools or officials found violating these directives will face strict sanctions, including derecognition, blacklisting, prosecution and referral to relevant authorities for disciplinary action,” WAEC warns.

The councils restates its commitment to protecting the integrity of its examinations and safeguarding the future of the Nigerian child.

Recall that BusinessDay earlier reported that WAEC attributed delays in the conduct of the 2026 WASSCE in some centres to a combination of logistical and operational challenges.

“The West African Examinations Council has received with deep concern the reports concerning the delayed conduct of the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) in some centres.

“It is therefore necessary to inform our valued stakeholders of our findings and the steps taken so far to ensure that the incident of delayed conduct does not occur for the rest of the conduct of the examination. The delay was caused by a combination of logistical and operational challenges,” WAEC stated.