Lagos State has officially kicked off the 2026 Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) e-registration and payment exercise, marking a significant step in modernising how students enrol for one of the most important examinations in the junior secondary school cycle. The initiative, spearheaded by the Lagos State Examinations Board (LSEB), opens a streamlined online registration window that is set to run from Monday, January 26 to Friday, March 27, 2026 — a full 10-week period designed to accommodate all public and private junior secondary schools across the state.
A Digital Transformation in Examination Administration
In recent years, the Lagos State Government has been actively incorporating technology into its education sector, and the 2026 BECE registration process is another milestone in that journey. Instead of the traditional system that often required school proprietors to visit the examinations board in person, the electronic registration allows schools to complete the entire process online — from uploading candidate data to processing payment — all within a digital environment. This shift is expected to enhance transparency, efficiency, and accountability while reducing bottlenecks and administrative delays.
The shift also signals a broader commitment by state authorities to leverage digital tools in public service delivery, aligning with Lagos’ broader governance and technology agenda.
Who Is Involved in the 2026 BECE E-Registration?
The e-registration applies to all categories of junior secondary schools in Lagos State:
- Public Junior Secondary Schools: These institutions will be required to use their newly issued School Codes to access and complete the registration process through the board’s designated data capturing system. Schools will use an offline data capturing application to prepare candidate information before final submission.
- Approved Private Junior Secondary Schools: Private schools with official accreditation will complete payment and registration by logging into the board’s online portal using their School Codes.
- Schools with Special Permission and Continuing Education Centres (CECs): These institutions must also use the online portal for registration, with payment and candidate data uploads completed through the appropriate channels.
In all cases, schools are urged to ensure they have the correct credentials and School Codes before beginning the registration process to avoid complications.
Fees and Special Needs Candidates
Registrar of the Lagos State Examinations Board, Adebayo Orunsolu, provided clarity on the fee structure for the exercise. Schools presenting candidates will fall into different fee categories:
- Approved private junior secondary schools and approved public continuing education centres: ₦10,000 per candidate.
- Junior secondary schools with special permission and private CECs: ₦15,000 per candidate.
This tiered fee structure has been designed to reflect the diverse nature of institutions participating in the registration process.
Moreover, schools that are presenting candidates with special needs, including students with visual impairments or albinism, are required to notify the Board in writing ahead of time. This provision aims to ensure that the necessary arrangements and accommodations are made well in advance of the examination period, affording all students fair and equitable treatment.
Avoiding Penalties Through Timely Registration
Registrar Orunsolu also issued a cautionary note to schools about the importance of registering within the stipulated timeframe. Late registrations, he warned, could attract penalties and potential sanctions — an incentive for schools to act promptly and complete all registration requirements before the March 27 deadline.
To support compliance, the board has pledged to communicate additional guidance and instructions to schools via their respective zonal officers, ensuring a smooth flow of information throughout the exercise.
Broader Impact on Students and Educational Stakeholders
The 2026 BECE e-registration exercise represents more than a procedural update: it underscores the Lagos State Government’s commitment to digital governance in education and to creating a more inclusive, accessible examination ecosystem for students and schools alike.
For students, successful registration is a prerequisite for sitting the Basic Education Certificate Examination — a qualification that plays a pivotal role in determining progression to senior secondary education. For teachers, administrators, and school proprietors, the digital platform offers a more convenient and efficient alternative to the traditional, manual system.
The move also alleviates logistical challenges that have historically burdened school officials, reducing the need for physical trips to the board’s offices and consolidating registration activities into a unified, secure online process.
