LAGOS, Nigeria — The Lagos State Government has officially announced the schedule for the 2026 Junior School Certificate Examination (JSCE), commonly known as Junior WAEC, with the examination expected to hold in June 2026, according to a statement issued by the state’s Ministry of Education on Thursday.
The examination is a critical milestone for students in the Junior Secondary School (JSS) class, as it serves as the terminal assessment for the lower secondary education cycle. The results of the examination determine students’ eligibility to proceed to the Senior Secondary School (SSS) level, making it a key determinant of their academic progression.
In the statement, the Lagos State Commissioner for Education, Mr. Jamiu Tolani Alli-Balogun, confirmed that the state has concluded all necessary arrangements to ensure a smooth conduct of the examination across the state. He revealed that the state government has already begun the registration process for candidates in all public and approved private schools, and emphasized that all candidates must be duly registered before the deadline.
The Commissioner further disclosed that the registration portal has been activated, and school administrators are expected to submit the complete list of candidates for the examination promptly. He warned that late registration would not be entertained, and any candidate not properly registered would not be permitted to sit for the examination.
Alli-Balogun noted that the Lagos State Government has adopted a zero-tolerance policy towards examination malpractice, warning that any student, teacher, or school official caught engaging in unethical practices would face severe sanctions. He noted that the state has strengthened its monitoring teams to ensure adherence to all examination protocols, including the deployment of technology to detect and prevent malpractice.
The Commissioner further advised parents and guardians to provide adequate support and encouragement to their children as they prepare for the examination. He also urged school administrators to ensure that all registration formalities are completed on schedule and to adhere strictly to the guidelines issued by the Ministry.
The Commissioner also reassured parents and guardians that the state government is committed to ensuring that the examination is conducted in a safe and conducive environment, with adequate measures in place to guarantee the safety and well-being of all candidates.
Lagos State has historically recorded high participation in the Junior WAEC, given its status as Nigeria’s most populous state and its large network of public and private educational institutions. The state government has invested significantly in the education sector, including teacher training, infrastructure development, and the provision of learning materials, to improve learning outcomes and examination performance.
The announcement of the examination schedule is expected to prompt schools to intensify their revision programmes and mock examinations in preparation for the upcoming assessment. Educational stakeholders have commended the Lagos State Government for its early announcement, which will allow schools and candidates to plan effectively.
As the examination date approaches, the Lagos State Ministry of Education has pledged to maintain open communication channels with schools, parents, and examination bodies to ensure that all relevant stakeholders are adequately informed. The ministry has also promised to provide regular updates on any changes to the schedule or guidelines as the examination date approaches. For now, students and schools across Lagos are gearing up for the 2026 Junior WAEC.
