The 2025 West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) for School Candidates, which began in April, is progressing steadily across various centres in Nigeria. Despite encountering initial challenges, the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) has expressed satisfaction with the overall conduct of the examination, while reiterating its strong stance against any form of examination malpractice.
In a public statement, signed by the management of WAEC, the council emphasized its ongoing efforts to preserve the integrity of the examination process and protect the hard work of candidates who have prepared earnestly. The Council highlighted an increase in fraudulent schemes designed to compromise the examination, particularly through rogue websites and social media platforms offering leaked questions and answers.
WAEC warned that it has deployed advanced technological tools to monitor and detect such activities. Candidates found to have engaged in sharing or receiving live examination content online risk severe penalties, including the withholding and potential cancellation of their results. Furthermore, cases of malpractice may be referred to the Nigeria Police Force for investigation and prosecution of those involved.
The Council reminded all candidates to adhere strictly to examination protocols. Students are expected to be seated in the examination hall before each paper begins, with supervisors instructed to report any late arrivals. Additionally, WAEC is relying on the continued use of its Candidates Identity Verification, Attendance, Malpractice, and Post Examinations Management System (CIVAMPEMS) to ensure transparency and fairness.
CIVAMPEMS serves several functions, including verifying candidates’ identities to prevent impersonation, recording attendance at examination centres, and documenting malpractice incidents for post-examination scrutiny.
WAEC reiterated that examination malpractice undermines the quality of education and poses a significant threat to national development. Labelled as a “cancer” within the educational system, the Council called for collective responsibility in eradicating the menace. It urged parents, schools, security agencies, and other stakeholders to support its mission to maintain high standards and fairness in educational assessment.
The 2025 WASSCE is expected to conclude in the coming weeks, with results projected to be released later in the year, pending the resolution of any examination-related infractions.
