The West African Examinations Council (WAEC) has dismissed recent reports alleging that it issued directives restricting Senior Secondary School students from offering certain subjects in the forthcoming 2026 West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) for School Candidates.
In a statement released on Tuesday, October 28, 2025, by the Acting Head of Public Affairs, Moyosola Adeshina (anipr), the Council described the reports as false, misleading, and unfounded, urging the public and educational stakeholders to disregard them.
WAEC clarified that it does not develop or regulate school curricula and therefore has no authority to direct or restrict schools or students on what subjects to offer. According to the Council, the development and regulation of curricula in Nigeria fall strictly under the jurisdiction of the Federal Government, while WAEC’s role is limited to implementing government-approved policies through examinations and assessments.
“WAEC wishes to categorically distance itself from this unfounded assumption and the information making the rounds on the said subject,” the statement read. “The Council did not issue any such directive(s) nor restrict the choice of students to offer any particular subject(s) for WASSCE (SC) 2026 as alleged.”
The examination body emphasised that it is a law-abiding organisation that operates within the legal and operational frameworks of its host country, and any introduction or modification of a curriculum follows due process as determined by the Federal Government.
“We emphasise that changes in the curriculum are not implemented arbitrarily by the Council but by following due process as mandated by the Federal Government,” the statement added.
WAEC also urged schools, students, and parents to ignore the misleading publications and rely only on official communications from the Council for accurate information about examination policies and subject offerings.
Reassuring stakeholders, WAEC reaffirmed its commitment to professionalism, transparency, and fairness, assuring that no candidate will be disenfranchised in the 2026 examination process.
“WAEC remains dedicated to professionalism and excellence in the service of the Nigerian child,” the Council stated. “All candidates participating in the WASSCE for School Candidates 2026 will be afforded a fair opportunity for assessment.”
The statement was issued from WAEC’s National Headquarters, 21 Hussey Street, Yaba, Lagos, by the Public Affairs Department.
