In its fifty years of existence, the Council has achieved its mission in very large measure. For instance it has over the years developed a team of well-trained and highly motivated staff and has administered examinations that are both valid and relevant to the educational aspirations of member countries. Its certificates enjoy international recognition. WAEC has also been promoting the ideals of hard work and honesty in the youth through its awards for outstanding performance in its examinations.
The West African Examinations Council was established following the acceptance of the Jeffery Report by the colonial Government(s) in the Gold Coast (now Ghana ) Sierra Leone and The Gambia; who passed appropriate ordinances in their Legislative Assemblies in 1951. The ordinances charge the Council with the responsibility determining the examinations required in the public in West Africa , and empowered it to conduct such examination award appropriate certificates. The Jeffery Report had recommended the setting up of a West African Examinations in the then four British colonies of Nigeria , Gold Coast Sierra Leone and The Gambia. Liberia later joined the Council in 1974.
The ordinances have now been replaced with the Convention which confers legal personality on the Council as an international organization.
CHAIRMEN OF COUNCIL
1952- 1954 Mr A N Galsowrthy Briton
1954- 1960 Dr J T Saunders Briton
1960- 1964 Sir John F Lockwood Briton
1964- 1969 Davidison S H W Nicol Sierra Leonean
1969- 1972 Prof. T Adeoye Lambo Nigerian
1972- 1977 Dr S T Matturi Sierra Leonean
1977- 1985 Prof. E A Boateng Ghanaian
1985- 1988 Prof. M O Oyawoye Nigeria
1988- 1991 Dr Lenrie W Peters Gambian
1991- 1994 Dr E Evans-Anfom Ghanaian
1994- 1997 Prof. J A Kamara Sierra Leonean
1997- 2000 Dr Yahaya Hamza Nigerian
2000- 2003 Dr Frederick S Gbegbe Liberian
2003- Date Mr Ousman Alieu Ndow Gambian
REGISTRARS TO COUNCIL
1952- 1960 Kenneth Humphreys, M.A., M.Sc., A.M.I.E.E. (deceased)
1960- 1965 John Deakin, B.Sc. (Econs) (deceased)
1965- 1971 J. Ayite Cronjie, M.A. (deceased)
1971- 1979 V. Chukwuemeka Ike, B.A., M.A., M.N.I.M. Hon., F.C.G.I.
1979- 1980 Dr S A Akeju, B.Sc., Ph.D (Acting)
1980- 1986 Dr J E Modupe Taylor-Pearce, B.A. (Gen), B.A. (Hons), M.Ed., Ph.D.
1986- 1995 S A Esezobor, B.A., Dip. Ed.
1995- 1995 A S Deen , B.A., Dip. Ed., M.Ed., A.M.B.I.M. (Acting)
1995- 2000 Dr (Mrs) Sylvia A M Boye, B.A. (Hons), Hon. LL.D Ghana)
2000- Date M P Ndure, B.A. ( Eng. ), M.Ed., Dip. Ed.
