About 1.6 Million Nigerian Candidates Registered For 2021 WAEC

According to Patrick Areghan, head of the Nigeria national office West African Examination Council, about 1.6 million candidates will be seating for 2021 the Examination.

The WASSCE which was earlier scheduled to hold May/June 2021 was put on hold due to the global health pandemic. For that reason, the examination was rescheduled to the month of August.

According to the body, the examination will run from Monday, August 16 to Friday, October 8 across the sub-regions, however, Nigeria will conclude her examination on September 30.

Patrick said, “in accordance with the Final International Timetable, the WASSCE (SC) 2021 will take place throughout the sub-region from Monday, 16th August to Friday, 8th October 2021. However, the examination will end in Nigeria on 30th September 2021 – spanning a period of seven (07) weeks”.

He assured that the management will strictly adhere to the Covid-19 protocols, including ensuring compliance by all stakeholders.

The WAEC boss also reiterated the body zero-tolerance stance against all forms of malpractices; rogue- website operators; the so-called miracle centres and the body will work with security agencies to ensure a smooth sail of the examination.

He said, “We are also closely watching out for the so-called ‘Special’ or ‘Miracle’ centres. These are not coinages by WAEC. They exist only in the imaginations of the perpetrators and patronizers. Even though we cannot claim to be oblivious of such a scenario, they are centres where candidates are promised assistance for cheap grades by ‘examination contractors’. We will definitely not allow them. No matter how remotely located they are, our in-built anti-malpractice mechanism will fish them out. It will not be wise to spend a whole six years preparing for the examination, only to end up not getting any result. So please, be warned!”

According to statistics, it was revealed that 19,425 recognized schools from the 36 states in Nigeria registered for this year’s examination, and candidates will be examined in 76 subjects with a total of 197 papers.

“The statistics for the examination shows that 19,425 recognized secondary schools, comprising 8,052 public and 11,373 private schools, spread across the nooks and crannies of the 36 states of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory, which would be presenting a total of 1,573,789 candidates, comprising 792,620 males (50.36%) and 781,169 females (49.64%), for the examination. Candidates would be examined in 76 subjects, made up of 197 papers. About 25,000 senior teachers would be participating in the examination as supervisors” he added.

The Head of WAEC, Nigeria called on candidates to ensure that they have their National identification number, NIN as candidates will not be allowed to take the subsequent examinations.

His words: “Let me also use this medium to announce that as we continue to make progress in the conduct of the Council’s business in Nigeria, National Identification Number (NIN) will become a major requirement for registration for the WASSCE examination with effect from the WASSCE for School Candidates, 2022 and subsequent diets (No NIN, no entry!).

“This means that all prospective candidates must register with the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) and get their National Identification Number (NIN). This is in line with the Federal Government’s policy, as directed by the Federal Ministry of Education”.

Check Timetable Here