WAEC Unveils Digital Certificate Service Across Nigeria and Four Other Countries

The West African Examinations Council has expanded its digital certificate service, bringing a new era of online access to academic records across Nigeria, Ghana, The Gambia, Liberia, and Sierra Leone. The system, branded WAEC DigiCert, marks one of the council’s most significant digital transitions in recent years.

The announcement came through a statement signed by Demianus Ojijeogu, the Head of Public Affairs at the council’s headquarters in Accra. He confirmed that the platform allows candidates to access, request, confirm, and share digital versions of their original certificates. According to the council’s update, the system also supports the recovery of lost WAEC examination numbers, a long-standing challenge for many candidates.

Ojijeogu explained that “the system is reliable, the authenticity of the certificates is guaranteed, and the cost benefits to users cannot be overstated.” He added that WAEC DigiCert had already undergone a successful pilot in Nigeria, drawing positive responses from institutions and candidates around the world.

A Major Step Toward Faster Verification

The digital certificate rollout aims to ease the delays associated with manual certificate collection. WAEC noted that students and institutions often face lengthy verification processes, especially when records are required urgently for admissions or employment. With DigiCert, the council believes the bottlenecks can finally be reduced.

Even with the shift, WAEC stressed that traditional certificate printing will still continue. The digital service is intended to complement, not replace, the long-standing manual process. The mobile application is now available on both the App Store and Google Play, while more details are accessible through WAEC’s official website and social channels.

The council also confirmed the release of the 2025 Second Series Computer-Based WASSCE results for private candidates. Students can review their results at www.waecdirect.org before visiting www.waec.org to obtain their digital certificate copies through the new platform.

The digital certificate initiative is expected to grow quickly, particularly as more employers and international schools shift toward online verification systems. With mobile adoption rising across West Africa, WAEC’s move could signal a wider regional turn toward secure, tech-driven records.