WAEC debunks viral rumor on new subject restrictions for 2026 WASSCE candidates

The West African Examinations Council (WAEC) has officially dismissed widespread social media claims that senior secondary school students will be forced to select specific subjects for the 2026 West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE). In a statement released earlier today, accompanied by an image of WAEC’s Lagos headquarters, the council clarified that no directive restricting subject choices has been issued.

The clarification followed days of online confusion after reports falsely claimed that WAEC had scrapped flexible subject selection, sparking anxiety among students, teachers, and parents across Nigeria and other West African countries. The rumor stemmed from a misinterpretation of WAEC’s October 16, 2025 announcement, which introduced minor reforms to streamline subject combinations for improved exam coordination. However, according to the council, the reform was never intended to limit students’ options or enforce a fixed set of subjects.

Leading media outlets including Vanguard and Punch Newspapers confirmed the council’s rebuttal, quoting WAEC’s Public Affairs Department as emphasizing that the “choice of subjects remains entirely the candidate’s prerogative, as guided by national education policies.” The council further advised the public to rely only on verified updates from its official website and communication channels.

The clarification comes as a major relief to more than 1.5 million candidates who register annually for the WASSCE across West Africa. Many had taken to X and Facebook to express worry that the alleged directive would force science or arts students into narrow pathways. “People were panicking for nothing,” one teacher in Lagos remarked. “WAEC’s reforms are administrative, not academic restrictions.”

The episode underscores how quickly education-related misinformation can spread online, especially when tied to national exams that shape millions of futures. For now, WAEC’s message is clear—students will continue to enjoy full freedom in selecting their subjects, just as before, while the council focuses on improving efficiency and exam credibility across the region.