The West African Examinations Council (WAEC) has issued a stern warning to school authorities, examination supervisors, and invigilators across Nigeria, directing them to immediately stop the extortion of candidates and parents through unauthorised charges during the ongoing 2026 West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE).
The examination body said it had received disturbing reports indicating that some officials involved in the conduct of the examination were demanding various forms of illegal payments from candidates under different pretexts, thereby undermining the integrity and credibility of the examination process.
In a statement issued on Monday by the Public Affairs Department and signed by the Head of Public Affairs, Moyosola Adesina, WAEC condemned the practice and vowed to impose strict sanctions on anyone found culpable.
According to the Council, some schools and supervisors have allegedly been compelling candidates and their parents to pay money for the transportation of examination scripts, welfare packages for officials, and other unauthorised “cooperation fees” not approved by the examination body.
WAEC also disclosed that it had uncovered instances where candidates were charged for KAPEK scientific calculators despite the fact that the examination body had already provided the calculators free of charge.
The Council described such actions as unacceptable and detrimental to the principles of fairness and transparency that should guide the conduct of public examinations.
“These practices are illegal, unethical, and a direct threat to the integrity of the West African Senior School Certificate Examination,” WAEC stated.
The examination body therefore directed all proprietors of schools, principals, supervisors, and invigilators to desist from any form of unauthorised collection of money from candidates or their parents.
It stressed that no examination official is permitted to demand or receive money from candidates under any guise.
WAEC stated unequivocally that, “No collection of money from candidates or parents for any examination official will be tolerated.”
The Council further encouraged parents, candidates, and other stakeholders to report any cases of extortion to its zonal coordinators or through its designated official communication channels.
The warning comes amid growing concerns over the increasing financial burden placed on candidates during external examinations, with education advocates repeatedly calling for stronger oversight mechanisms to protect students from exploitation.
WAEC also cautioned examination officials against acts of intimidation, harassment, or victimisation of candidates, maintaining that every student deserves to sit examinations in an atmosphere free from fear, coercion, and undue pressure.
The Council warned that severe penalties await schools and officials found guilty of engaging in extortion or any other forms of examination malpractice.
According to WAEC, sanctions may include derecognition of affected schools, blacklisting of officials involved, prosecution, and referral of cases to the appropriate authorities for disciplinary action.
The examination body reaffirmed its commitment to safeguarding the credibility of its examinations and ensuring that candidates are assessed in a fair and transparent environment.
WAEC noted that despite recent operational challenges encountered during the conduct of the ongoing examination, efforts are being intensified to ensure a smooth and successful completion of the exercise.
The Council had earlier acknowledged that some papers in the ongoing WASSCE experienced delays due to logistical difficulties and a fatal accident involving some of its officials.
It added that measures were being implemented to strengthen operational efficiency, improve logistics, and prevent future disruptions during the administration of examinations.
The 2026 May/June WASSCE for school candidates commenced on April 21 and is scheduled to conclude on June 19, 2026.
As the examination enters its final phase, education stakeholders have welcomed WAEC’s decision to address allegations of extortion, describing it as a necessary step towards restoring public confidence in the examination process.
Parents and candidates have also expressed hope that the Council’s renewed stance will protect students from exploitation and reinforce the principles of integrity, accountability, and fairness within Nigeria’s education system.
