WAEC to schools, supervisors: Stop extorting SSCE candidates with ‘cooperation fees’, welfare charges
The West African Examinations Council (WAEC) has warned school proprietors, principals, supervisors and invigilators against extorting candidates sitting for the 2026 West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE).
The examination body said it had received reports of some supervisors and schools demanding money from candidates under various pretexts, including charges for transportation of examination scripts, welfare packages and unauthorised “cooperation fees”.
In a statement issued on Monday, Moyosola Adesina, WAEC’s head of public affairs, described the practice as illegal and unethical, warning that it undermines the integrity and credibility of the examination process.
“The West African Examinations Council (WAEC) has received alarming reports of supervisors and some schools extorting candidates under various pretexts, including transportation of scripts, welfare packages, and unauthorized ‘cooperation’ fees,” the statement reads.
Adesina also alleged that some schools were demanding payment for KAPEK calculators already provided free of charge by the council.
She warned school proprietors, principals, supervisors and invigilators to immediately desist from collecting money from candidates or their parents on behalf of examination officials.
The WAEC spokesperson urged candidates and parents to promptly report any attempt at extortion to the appropriate zonal coordinator, branch controller or through the council’s designated email channels.
She further cautioned against any form of harassment or intimidation of candidates during the conduct of the examination.
According to Adesina, schools and examination officials found culpable would face severe sanctions, including derecognition, blacklisting, prosecution and referral to relevant authorities for disciplinary action.
She reiterated the council’s commitment to protecting the credibility of its examinations and safeguarding the interests of Nigerian students.
The 2026 WASSCE commenced on April 21 with practical papers and is scheduled to conclude on June 19.
Earlier, Amos Dangut, head of WAEC’s national office in Nigeria, disclosed that 1,959,636 candidates from 24,207 schools registered for the examination.
Of the figure, 1,001,072 candidates, representing 51.08 per cent, are female, while 958,564 candidates, representing 48.92 per cent, are male.
