[1] Established in 1952, the council conducts exit examination in 5 English-speaking countries of West Africa (Ghana, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Liberia and the Gambia).

[2] Dr. Adeyegbe, former head of WAEC Nigeria (2004) said "the council has developed a team of well-trained and highly motivated staff, and has administered Examinations that are valid and relevant to the educational aspirations of member countries".

At the end of Jeffery's three-month visit (December 1949 – March 1950) to Ghana, the Gambia, Sierra Leone, and Nigeria, he tendered a report (since known as Jeffery report) strongly supporting the need for a West African Examination Council, and making detailed recommendations on the composition and duties of the council.

[5] Following this report, the groups met with the governments of these countries, and they agreed on establishing a West African Examination Council, fully adopting Jeffery's recommendations.

[6] The Ordinance agreed to the coordination of exams, and issuing of certificates to students in individual countries by the West African Examination Council.

During this anniversary the book, "The West African Examinations Council (1952-2002): Half a century of Commitment to Excellence and Regional Cooperation", was launched.

[9] The International Committee treat matters affecting all member countries and also harmonizes national views pertaining to policies of the council as a whole.

The scandal was a result of leakage of examination answer slips to students by an official prior to the conduct of the exam.

[18] This led to the cancellation of results in some examination centers and some students were asked to take the exam with their juniors the following year.

[19] By 1982, there were allegations that exams were sold and to combat these types of malpractices, examinations were cancelled at some centers affecting both innocent and guilty students.

One may argue that the lack of an efficient examination body is one of the reasons why the performance of youth in west African countries pale in comparison to western and sub continental counterparts.

In an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria, Mr. Patrick Areghan, WAEC Head of National Office reacted to the reports widely circulated on social media, saying it was " false, malicious, misleading and wicked".