WAEC 2026 Private WASSCE Second Series Registration: What Candidates Need to Know
By Cynthia Okere, Lagos
The West African Examinations Council has provided registration guidelines for candidates taking the 2026 West African Senior School Certificate Examination for Private Candidates, Second Series.
Information on WAEC Nigeria’s official platforms shows that the normal registration process required candidates to obtain their registration details, undergo biometric capture and complete their applications online.
According to information displayed on WAEC’s official result portal, the deadline for generating registration PINs was July 31, 2026, while candidates were required to complete biometric capture and online registration by 11:59 p.m. on August 2, 2026.
Candidates should therefore be cautious about unofficial notices circulating with different registration deadlines and confirm any extension directly through WAEC before making payments.
How Candidates Register
WAEC’s registration procedure requires candidates to enrol their fingerprints and provide personal information, including their names, date of birth, nationality, state of origin and contact details.
Applicants are also required to select their preferred examination town. WAEC states that the exact examination centre is subsequently assigned through its system and that candidates cannot change their examination town after submitting their applications.
Candidates must register for a minimum of eight and a maximum of nine subjects. English Language and General Mathematics are compulsory for candidates sitting the examination in 2026.
After completing the registration form, candidates are expected to review their information carefully before final submission.
Once an application has been submitted, WAEC says the candidate can no longer modify the registration details.
Successful applicants are issued an examination number and can print their admission notice or photo card, which will be required at the examination centre.
WAEC’s current list of approved examination towns shows computer-based centres across several states, including multiple locations in Lagos and other parts of the country.
Prospective candidates seeking information about late or walk-in registration should rely on WAEC Nigeria’s official channels or contact a WAEC office rather than depend on unverified registration notices.