WAEC publishes provisional 2026 BECE results for private candidates

The West African Examinations Council (WAEC) has published the provisional results of the 2026 Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) for private candidates.

Candidates can access their results online through the Council’s official website, according to a statement issued by WAEC.

A total of 2,987 candidates entered the private-candidate examination. The figure included 1,618 males and 1,369 females from all regions of the country.

The examination was held at centres in selected regional capitals. WAEC said 101 candidates were absent.

The Council has withheld the results of nine candidates after suspected collusion was identified during the marking process.

“ The results of nine candidates have been withheld for further scrutiny due to suspected collusion detected during the marking exercise,” WAEC said.

Candidates affected by the decision have been instructed to use the Council’s irregularities and investigations platform to find out why their results were withheld.

They must visit the platform and select the “withheld/cancelled” button on the homepage. This will take them to the irregularity and investigations page, where the reasons for the decision will be displayed.

“The candidates will receive information on the next line of action,” the Council added.

The results currently released by WAEC are provisional, meaning they remain subject to the Council’s examination procedures, including investigations into suspected malpractice.

The BECE is a key examination for candidates completing basic education, while the private-candidate examination provides an opportunity for eligible candidates to sit the assessment outside the regular school examination process.

WAEC thanked the individuals and organisations involved in organising the examination and publishing the results.

“The Council is grateful to all who in diverse ways helped in the successful conduct of the examination and release of results,” said John K. Kapi, Head of Public Affairs at WAEC.

The Council said the results were available through its official website for candidates who wished to check them online.

It also directed candidates whose results had been withheld to use the irregularities and investigations platform for further guidance rather than relying solely on the initial results page.

A total of 2,987 candidates registered for the examination across the country, with female candidates accounting for 1,369 entries and male candidates making up the remaining 1,618. WAEC said the examination took place at centres located in selected regional capitals, while 101 registered candidates did not attend.

The release covers the private-candidate sitting of the 2026 BECE. WAEC said its decision to withhold nine results followed suspected collusion detected during marking and that the affected candidates would be given information about the next steps through the investigations platform.