WAEC warns schools, supervisors against extorting WASSCE candidates

The West African Examinations Council (WAEC) has warned school proprietors, principals, supervisors and invigilators against extorting candidates participating in the ongoing West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE).

The council said it had received reports of some examination officials and schools demanding money from candidates under various pretexts, including transportation of examination scripts, welfare packages and unauthorised “cooperation fees.”

In a statement issued on Monday, WAEC’s Head of Public Affairs, Moyosola Adesina, described the practice as illegal and unethical, warning that it could undermine the credibility and integrity of the examination process.

According to the statement, some schools have also been collecting money from candidates for KAPEK calculators despite the fact that the examination body had already provided the calculators free of charge.

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

Adesina urged school proprietors, principals, supervisors and invigilators to desist from collecting money from candidates or their parents on behalf of examination officials.

She also advised candidates and parents to promptly report any case of extortion to the appropriate zonal coordinator, branch controller or through the council’s designated email channels.

The spokesperson further cautioned against any form of harassment or intimidation of candidates, stressing that offenders would face severe sanctions.

She said schools and examination officials found culpable risk sanctions ranging from derecognition and blacklisting to prosecution and referral to relevant authorities for disciplinary action.

Reaffirming WAEC’s commitment to maintaining examination standards, Adesina said the council would continue to protect the integrity of its examinations and safeguard the future of Nigerian students.

The 2026 WASSCE began on April 21 with practical examinations and is scheduled to end on June 19. A total of 1,959,636 candidates from 24,207 schools registered for the examination nationwide.

WAEC’s Head of National Office, Amos Dangut, disclosed that 1,001,072 candidates, representing 51.08 per cent of total enrolment, are female, while 958,564 candidates, representing 48.92 per cent, are male.