WAEC Recruitment Test Crisis Deepens as Applicants Report Portal Failures, Missed Exams
The fresh complaints from applicants who took the 2026 West African Examinations Council recruitment aptitude test have raised fresh concerns about the reliability of the council’s digital examination systems, which could have implications for confidence in education and assessment.
A number of candidates reported problems accessing examination portals, network issues, incorrect login credentials and other technical glitches in the computer-based aptitude test on Saturday. Others also complained of lack of information on exam dates and locations.
One of the applicants reported that the examination platform was not accessible during the 40 minutes of the examination, while another said he went to his state capital but could not locate WAEC officials at the venue.
But WAEC Head of Public Affairs, Moyosola Adesina, denied the allegations, stating that there were no glitches and that the exams were completed.
The complaints follow WAEC’s ongoing investigation into the results of the 2026 West African Senior School Certificate Examination. The National Association of Proprietors of Private Schools has raised concerns about the results and called for stronger digital systems and an investigation into issues surrounding the examination.
Children and young people’s confidence in examination systems is closely related to their educational development. Assessment processes are reliable, ensuring that students’ achievement is measured accurately and that their progression to further education and other opportunities is based on credible results.
The council’s examination processes are credible, according to WAEC Nigeria National Office Head, Dr Amos Dangut, citing various measures such as computer-based assessment, question randomisation and serialisation.
The latest grievances have, however, added to the pressure for increased transparency, enhanced digital infrastructure, and reliable examination systems that safeguard students’ educational opportunities.
