By Benson Daniel
The West African Examinations Council has extended the registration deadline for the 2026 West African Senior School Certificate Examination for Private Candidates, Second Series, giving prospective candidates additional time to complete the process.
The examination body announced the extension on Saturday, August 15, 2026, urging candidates who are yet to register to take advantage of the additional period.
Registration for the examination, commonly known as WAEC GCE, will now close on Friday, August 28, 2026. The extension replaces the earlier deadline and is expected to provide relief for candidates who were unable to complete their registration before the initial closing date.
The Second Series examination is designed for private candidates, including individuals who are no longer enrolled in regular secondary schools but require an opportunity to obtain or improve their West African Senior School Certificate Examination results.
The examination is particularly important for school leavers and other candidates seeking additional qualifications for admission into higher institutions, employment opportunities or other academic and professional purposes.
WAEC has urged intending candidates to complete their registration within the new deadline and ensure that all information supplied during the registration process is accurate.
The 2026 Second Series examination will be conducted as a computer based examination, reflecting the council’s continued transition towards digital assessment.
The registration extension also gives candidates who encountered difficulties during the process more time to complete the required biometric capturing and other registration procedures.
Prospective candidates are expected to follow the approved registration process and make use of authorised registration channels to avoid problems that could affect their participation in the examination.
The council’s decision to extend the deadline comes as many candidates continue to rely on the private candidate examination to improve previous results or obtain the required credits for further education.
For candidates who have not yet completed their registration, the new deadline is an opportunity to avoid missing the examination cycle.
WAEC has advised candidates not to wait until the final days before completing their registration, particularly because technical or documentation issues could take time to resolve.
The examination body is also expected to provide further information concerning examination arrangements, centres and other requirements as the examination date approaches.
The extension is likely to be welcomed by candidates who had been unable to meet the earlier registration deadline, particularly those still completing their documentation or biometric requirements.
With the new closing date now set for August 28, candidates are expected to use the additional period to complete their registration and verify their details before the process closes.
The development underscores the importance of the WAEC GCE as an alternative route for Nigerians seeking to obtain or improve their senior secondary school qualifications outside the regular school examination system.
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