2026 WASSCE: WAEC denies restricting subject choices for candidates

West African Examinations Council (WAEC) has dispelled the claim by some media platforms that the Council had directed the restriction of Senior Secondary School students to register certain subject(s) for the forthcoming West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) for 2026 candidates.

The council said such information was neither emanated from it nor did it ask anyone to do so on its behalf.

The Acting Head of the Public Affairs of WAEC Nigeria, Mrs Moyosola Adeshina, refuted the media claim in a statement made available to newsmen on Tuesday.

She stated, “WAEC wishes to categorically distance itself from this unfounded assumption and the information making the rounds on the said subject. “WAEC hereby affirms that 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.

“We wish to point out to all stakeholders and the general public that the development and regulation of Curricula in Nigeria is within the purview of the Federal Government of Nigeria.

“WAEC, as an examination body, only comes in to implement government policies via assessment.

“As a law-abiding organisation, WAEC operates strictly within the established legal and operational frameworks of its host country.

“The introduction or modification of any curriculum in Nigeria is a function of 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.

“So, schools, stakeholders, and the general public are hereby advised to disregard the misleading reports and rely solely on official communications from the Council for accurate information regarding examination guidelines for WASSCE (SC) 2026.

“We assure our stakeholders that WAEC remains dedicated to professionalism and excellence in the service of the Nigerian Child.

“The Council guarantees that all candidates participating in the WASSCE for School Candidates, 2026, will be afforded fair opportunity for assessment, ensuring that no candidate is disenfranchised.”

The council, therefore, urged the school leadership to guide their students appropriately on the choice of subjects to offer in the exam, as such responsibility is not that of WAEC.