WAEC announces additional fees for delay in collecting GCE certificate

The fee for collection of certificates would be increased by various amounts as the years add up.


The charges are reportedly ‘custody fee’ for keeping the documents for so long as they occupy space 

The new development is to serve as a deterrent to those who plan to delay in collecting their certificates after they have been released Candidates who took the General Certificate Examination (GCE) have been advised by the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) to ensure they collect their certificates within four years of writing the examination.

If not, the regional exams body says they would be charged an additional custody fee for the delay. The new development was disclosed by Demianus Ojijeogu, head of public affairs department, WAEC, Nigeria, in a telephone interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Thursday, June 22, in Abuja.

Ojijeogu said: “The normal charge for the certificate is N3, 500 and only payable by those whose certificates were issued between zero and four years. 

“But from five to nine years is N8, 500; 10 to 14 years N13, 500; 15 to 19 years N18, 500 while 20 years and above will be charged N23, 500.

 “These charges are (for) custody fee; for keeping the certificates for so long because it occupies space in our office. It will also serve as a deterrent to others. “I don’t know the reason why people will sit for exams and their certificates are ready yet they will not come for collection. What was the essence of the certificate in the first place?’’ 

According to Ojijeogu, the following items are required for collection of the GCE certificates within Nigeria: an application letter, sworn affidavit from the High Court, online result print- out, one passport-size photograph, photo card and identity card. The WAEC GCE examination is usually held in November/December annually.