Candidates seeking admission into Nigerian tertiary institutions through the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) will now pay ₦4,000 once to verify their West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) or other WAEC O’Level results, following a new arrangement announced by JAMB and the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) on Tuesday, September 1, 2026.
The new system is intended to eliminate repeated verification payments that candidates have faced when different tertiary institutions request authentication of the same academic credentials during admission processing.
Under the arrangement, candidates whose admissions are coordinated by JAMB will complete their WAEC result verification through the board’s designated Verification Service. Once the process is successfully completed, the verification outcome can be made available to the relevant institution for admission-related purposes.
The policy represents a shift towards a centralised verification process, with JAMB serving as the channel through which verified WAEC results are transmitted to institutions.
JAMB and WAEC said the ₦4,000 charge is a one-off payment, meaning eligible candidates should not have to pay the same verification fee repeatedly when their verified result is required by an institution.
The payment is to be made through the specified JAMB Verification Service platform rather than directly to a university, polytechnic or other tertiary institution.
The arrangement works broadly as follows:
- Candidates initiate WAEC O’Level verification through JAMB’s designated platform.
- A ₦4,000 verification fee is paid once.
- JAMB processes the verification of the WAEC result.
- The verification outcome is made available to the relevant tertiary institution.
- Institutions use the verified result for admission screening, processing and other approved administrative purposes.
- Candidates should not be charged another verification fee for the same WAEC result.
JAMB and WAEC specifically directed tertiary institutions to rely on the verified information supplied through the new system rather than asking candidates to repeat the same verification exercise.
Another important aspect of the policy is the move away from repeated physical visits to institutions and JAMB-approved Computer-Based Test (CBT) centres.
The examination bodies said candidates can initiate the verification process from home or another location with internet access. This is expected to reduce both the logistical demands and additional expenses associated with repeatedly authenticating O’Level credentials.
For admission seekers applying to institutions where verification of WAEC results is required, the centralised system means a successful verification can subsequently be used for the relevant admission process rather than starting the exercise afresh.
The development could be particularly significant for candidates who encounter verification requirements at different stages of the admission process.
The new fee is specifically tied to the verification service and should not be confused with other admission-related charges.
JAMB and WAEC stressed that candidates should make the payment through the designated JAMB platform and not pay individual institutions for another verification of the same WAEC result.
WAEC has authorised JAMB to share verification outcomes with relevant tertiary institutions for admission-related purposes. This gives institutions access to authenticated information while reducing the need for candidates to repeatedly submit their credentials for verification.
The two organisations said the arrangement followed consultations aimed at simplifying the authentication of O’Level results and reducing the financial and administrative burden on admission seekers.
The policy could provide a significant cost and convenience benefit for candidates navigating Nigeria’s tertiary admission system.
Previously, candidates could encounter separate verification requirements from institutions, potentially creating additional payments and trips during the admission process. The new framework is designed to consolidate that exercise through JAMB.
However, candidates should ensure that they use only the officially designated JAMB Verification Service and retain evidence of a successful transaction and verification.
JAMB and WAEC have urged eligible candidates to complete their WASSCE O’Level verification through the approved platform so that the result can be accessed by the institution concerned.
The broader objective is to create a more centralised and efficient method of authenticating academic records while preserving the integrity and security of examination results.
