WAEC GCE (1st Series) 2026 Registration Has Commenced

The West African Examinations Council (WAEC) has announced the opening of registration for the General Certificate Examination (GCE) first series in 2026, specifically for private candidates.

Key Details

Registration Fee and Deadline

The examination registration costs ₦27,000. Candidates must complete their registration by 11:59pm on Friday, January 30th, 2026.

Registration Process

• Candidates purchase a Registration PIN from authorized banks or agents
• They then log onto www.waeconline.org.ng to complete online registration
• The system incorporates biometric features for validation at examination centers
• Registration must be concluded within two weeks of first accessing the website

Examination Format

This marks the first instance where WAEC is implementing computer-based testing (CBT). The objective papers will be fully CBT, while essay and practical examinations will be hybrid format, with questions displayed on screen and answers written in booklets.

Payment Methods

Candidates can pay through traditional banks (Access, GTB, First Bank, UBA, Zenith, and others) or cashless payment channels (Interswitch, Paga, Paycom, and various fintech platforms). Bank commissions add ₦500 to the total cost.

Walk-in Candidates

Late registration is available at ₦45,000, provided candidates register at least 24 hours before their scheduled examination.

Important Requirements

Photography specifications: Digital camera (Microsoft HD 3000 minimum), Black and white or color JPEG format, Dimensions: 275 by 314 pixels at 72 dpi resolution, Contrasting background without obstructive items.

Examination Conduct Rules

The regulations prohibit: Professional uniforms in examination halls, Mobile phones or electronic devices, Smoking in examination spaces, Examination in multiple centers (results will be cancelled), Malpractice (subject to result cancellation and prosecution).