LAGOS — In a bold move to uphold academic integrity, the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) has unveiled a groundbreaking initiative for the 2025 West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE). The council will implement paper variations, ensuring that no two candidates receive identical exam questions, starting with the WASSCE scheduled for April 24 to June 20, 2025.
Dr. Amos Dangut, Head of the Nigeria National Office, shared the news during a press briefing at WAEC’s national headquarters in Yaba, Lagos. This move, he explained, is part of WAEC’s broader strategy to integrate modern technology into its examination processes.
“For the first time in the history of the WASSCE, candidates will receive unique sets of questions, a significant step in combating widespread examination malpractice,” Dr. Dangut said. He also highlighted the introduction of computer-based testing for school candidates as a key component of this initiative, noting that technology would be a cornerstone of the council’s future exams.
The 2025 WASSCE will see a record 1,973,253 candidates from 23,554 schools, with nearly equal gender participation: 979,228 males and 994,025 females. Dr. Dangut expressed optimism over the continued growth of female participation, which has been a steady trend in recent years.
In a further effort to streamline registration, WAEC has integrated the National Identification Number (NIN) into the registration process, although it will not be mandatory at the outset to ensure a smoother experience for all candidates.
However, the road to securing academic integrity in a country grappling with security challenges is not without its hurdles. Dr. Dangut acknowledged the difficulties posed by insecurity, noting that despite past challenges, WAEC successfully conducted examinations with the assistance of the Nigeria Police Force and state governments.
“We are fully aware of the security challenges we face,” he said. “But rest assured, we are working in partnership with security agencies to ensure a safe examination environment for all candidates.”
WAEC’s commitment to upholding the integrity of the examination process is reflected in its firm stance against malpractice. Dr. Dangut reaffirmed the council’s zero-tolerance policy, stressing that all forms of cheating would be met with strict penalties to maintain the credibility of the WASSCE.
As WAEC continues to innovate and adapt to modern educational demands, the introduction of paper variations marks a significant milestone in its ongoing efforts to ensure fairness and transparency in West Africa’s most important school-leaving examination.
