The West African Examinations Council was established following the acceptance of the Jeffery Report by the colonial Government(s) in the Gold Coast (now Ghana) Sierra Leone and The Gambia; who passed appropriate ordinances in their Legislative Assemblies in 1951. The ordinances charge the Council with the responsibility determining the examinations required in the public in West Africa , and empowered it to conduct such examination award appropriate certificates. The Jeffery Report had recommended the setting up of a West African Examinations in the then four British colonies of Nigeria, Gold Coast Sierra Leone and The Gambia. Liberia later joined the Council in 1974.The ordinances have now been replaced with the Convention which confers legal personality on the Council as an international organization.

Over the years the Council have developed a team of well-trained and highly motivated staff and has administered examinations that are both valid and relevant to the educational aspirations of member countries. Its certificates enjoy international recognition. WAEC has also been promoting the ideals of hard work and honesty in the youth through its awards for outstanding performance in its examinations.

Corporate Profile

                 The West African Examinations Council is West Africa’s foremost examining board established by law to determine the examinations required in the  public interest in the English-Speaking West African countries, to conduct the examinations and to award certificates comparable to those of equivalent  examining authorities internationally.

            By This mandate, the Council is expected to:

• Assist in the development of sound education;
• Ensure that educational standards are maintained; and
• Give the people of the West Africa a vision of the great potentials which lie beyond examinations

           

Our Vision

            To be a world class examining body,

            Adding value to the educational goals of

            its stakeholders.

 

Our Mission

            To remain Africa’s foremost examining body, providing

            qualitative and reliable educational assessment,

            encouraging academic and moral excellence,

            and promoting sustainable human

resource development and

international co-operation.