The West African Examinations Council (WAEC) has dismissed reports circulating on social media alleging that the Council directed schools to restrict students to certain subjects for the 2026 West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) for School Candidates.
According to a report by Vanguard, WAEC described the claims as false, baseless and misleading, urging the public, schools and students to disregard them entirely.
In an official statement issued by Moyosola Adesina, the Council’s Head of Public Affairs, WAEC clarified that it has no policy or directive that limits candidates’ subject choices, as such decisions are guided strictly by national education policies and curriculum requirements.
“The attention of the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) has been drawn to a report circulating on social media suggesting that the Council has directed schools to restrict students to certain subjects for the 2026 WASSCE.
This information is completely false, baseless and should be ignored,” Adesina stated.
She emphasized that WAEC remains committed to its long-standing principles of fairness, equity and transparency in the administration of its examinations, noting that the Council only provides guidelines and syllabuses, while the selection of subjects remains the prerogative of individual candidates and their schools.
“We wish to state unequivocally that WAEC does not and has never dictated to schools or students which subjects to offer. The Council merely conducts examinations in approved subjects based on the national curriculum, and schools are expected to guide students accordingly,” she added.
Adesina also cautioned the public against relying on unverified online publications, stressing that WAEC only communicates through its official website and verified social media handles. She noted that the false report had caused unnecessary panic among students, parents and educators, warning that the Council would not hesitate to pursue legal action against those spreading misinformation capable of undermining its integrity.
Reaffirming the Council’s preparedness for the 2026 examination season, Adesina assured stakeholders that adequate arrangements are already in place to ensure a smooth and credible conduct across all member countries.
“We urge students to focus on their studies and not be distracted by rumors. WAEC remains a credible examining body that upholds the values of integrity, transparency, and service to education in West Africa,” she said.
WAEC further encouraged schools to verify all directives and information through official channels before passing them on to students. The Council reiterated that collaboration between WAEC and educational institutions is vital to sustaining the credibility and reputation of public examinations across the sub-region.
With this clarification, WAEC reaffirmed its position as a neutral and professional examining body, committed to maintaining excellence, integrity, and service in the advancement of education throughout West Africa.
By Hamzat omolade
