WAEC Announces Extension for 2026 WASSCE Registration Period
The West African Examinations Council (WAEC) has officially extended the registration period for the 2026 West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) for school candidates. This significant announcement was confirmed by the council on Wednesday, following approval from the Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Lausa. The extension provides additional time for schools and stakeholders to complete all necessary registration processes.
New Final Deadline and Official Statement
In a statement released via social media platform X and signed by WAEC Nigeria management, the council declared that the final deadline for registration and uploading of entries is now Friday, March 13, 2026. The statement emphasized that this extension should be utilized to resolve any pending registration issues, with no further extensions anticipated.
"Stakeholders are advised to utilise this extension to complete all necessary registration processes, as no further extension will be granted," the official statement read. WAEC reiterated its commitment to ensuring a smooth registration process for all candidates while warning that all entries must be submitted by the new deadline to avoid disqualification.
Background on 2026 Examination Schedule
This registration extension comes as WAEC continues to implement its examination schedule for 2026. The council previously released the timetable for the 2026 Computer-Based WASSCE for private candidates, which represents the first series of examinations for the year. According to the published schedule:
- The examination series commences on Wednesday, January 28, 2026, with Hausa, Igbo, and Yoruba languages
- Biology will be the first general subject, scheduled for Thursday, January 29, 2026
- General Mathematics follows on Saturday, January 31, 2026
- English Language examination is set for Saturday, February 7, 2026
- Economics examination will take place on Thursday, January 12, 2026
- Science subjects include Physics on Thursday, February 5, and Chemistry on Monday, February 9, 2026
- Agricultural Science, Geography, and Further Mathematics are scheduled for Tuesday, February 3, 6, and 11, respectively
Parliamentary Concerns About CBT Implementation
The registration extension announcement occurs amidst ongoing discussions about WAEC's transition to Computer-Based Testing (CBT). The House of Representatives recently directed the federal government to suspend WAEC's CBT plan for the 2026 WASSCE, citing significant concerns about implementation readiness.
Lawmakers expressed apprehension that most Nigerian schools lack adequate computer infrastructure, reliable internet access, and qualified teachers to facilitate a smooth transition to computer-based examinations. They warned that proceeding with the CBT rollout under current conditions could result in massive student failure rates.
The House mandated relevant committees to engage with stakeholders and report back within four weeks while urging appropriate budget provisions for computer facilities and teacher training. This parliamentary intervention highlights the broader challenges facing educational assessment modernization in Nigeria.
WAEC's CBT Transition Plan
WAEC had previously announced its transition from traditional paper-and-pencil testing to Computer-Based Testing for the Senior School Certificate Examination in Nigeria. The new model was scheduled to begin in February 2024 for private candidates, according to examination council officials.
The CBT format features fully computer-based objective tests, with hybrid approaches planned for Essay and Test of Practical papers. This technological transition represents a significant shift in how Nigerian students will be assessed, requiring substantial infrastructure investment and teacher preparation across the educational system.
As the 2026 WASSCE registration period enters its extended phase, educational stakeholders across Nigeria are encouraged to complete all necessary processes before the March 13 deadline. The combination of registration extensions and ongoing discussions about examination methodology reflects the complex landscape of educational assessment in contemporary Nigeria.
