By GGabriel Ameh
ABUJA — The West African Examinations Council (WAEC), Nigeria, has extended the registration deadline for the 2026 West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) for Private Candidates, Second Series, popularly known as WAEC GCE.
The council has moved the registration deadline from the earlier date of July 31, 2026, to Friday, August 28, 2026.
WAEC urged prospective candidates who are yet to register to take advantage of the extension and complete their registration before the new deadline.
Who Can Register for the WAEC GCE?
The WASSCE for Private Candidates is designed primarily for candidates who are not currently enrolled in regular secondary schools.
The examination also provides an opportunity for individuals seeking to obtain an O’Level qualification or improve their existing results independently.
2026 WAEC GCE Will Be Computer-Based
The 2026 Second Series examination will be conducted entirely as a Computer-Based Examination (CBE).
Candidates are therefore expected to be familiar with the computer-based examination format ahead of the test.
Registration Fee Remains ₦37,000
The registration fee for the 2026 WAEC GCE Second Series remains ₦37,000.
Prospective candidates are advised to complete registration only through WAEC’s approved registration process and follow the council’s requirements.
When Will the 2026 WAEC GCE Hold?
The examination is scheduled to take place between September and October 2026.
Candidates are advised to keep track of official WAEC updates regarding the examination timetable and other arrangements.
Candidates Advised to Confirm Examination Towns
WAEC has also advised candidates to visit the nearest WAEC office in their respective states to confirm available examination towns before completing their registration.
This is important because candidates need to know where the examination will be conducted and select an appropriate location during the registration process.
New Deadline Replaces July 31 Date
Registration for the 2026 WAEC GCE Second Series began on May 4, 2026, with July 31 initially announced as the closing date.
The extension to August 28, 2026 now supersedes the earlier deadline.
Prospective candidates who have not registered are encouraged to use the additional time to complete the process before the new deadline.
Key dates at a glance:
Registration started: May 4, 2026
Previous deadline: July 31, 2026
New deadline: August 28, 2026
Examination: September–October 2026
Registration fee: ₦37,000
Examination format: Computer-Based Examination (CBE)
Candidates: Private candidates
