If you are planning to study, work, or relocate to the United States or Canada, you have likely heard of WES.
WES stands for World Education Services. It is an organization that evaluates your Nigerian academic qualifications and converts them into the North American standard. This tells foreign universities and employers exactly what your Nigerian degree is worth.
Getting your Nigerian transcript evaluated by WES can seem stressful, but it is actually a straightforward process if you follow the right steps.
Here is your complete, step-by-step guide to doing it successfully in 2026.
Step 1: Create Your WES Account
The very first thing you need to do is visit the official WES website. You must choose whether you want an evaluation for the US or Canada. Do not mix this up, as the requirements and fees differ slightly.
Fill in your personal details, your educational history, and the purpose of the evaluation (like education, immigration, or employment).
Once you complete the profile and pay the evaluation fee, WES will give you a unique Reference Number. Write this number down immediately. You will need it for every other step.
Step 2: Upload Your Degree Certificate
WES requires two main documents for a university graduate: your degree certificate and your official transcript.
You are responsible for submitting your degree certificate. You do not need your school to do this. Simply scan your original university degree certificate (or statement of result) and upload it directly through your WES online account.
Make sure the scanned copy is very clear. Do not upload a blurry picture taken with your phone in a dark room.
Step 3: Request Your Transcript (The Right Way)
This is where many Nigerians make mistakes. You cannot upload your transcript yourself. WES will reject it. Your transcript must be sent directly from your Nigerian university to WES.
In 2026, the fastest and safest way to do this is digitally. Most federal, state, and private universities in Nigeria now use electronic transcript platforms like ETX-NG or their own internal secure portals.
Go to your university’s transcript portal, pay the required fee, and select WES as the destination. You must include your WES Reference Number in your request. If your school uses physical mail, ensure they write your Reference Number on the sealed envelope before sending it via a recognized courier like DHL.
Step 4: WAEC or NECO Verification (If Required)
If you are applying for a secondary school evaluation, or if your specific program requires it, WES might ask for your O-level results.
Just like the university transcript, you cannot send this yourself. You must use the official WAEC Digital Certificate platform to send your results directly to WES.
You will need to create an account on the WAEC digital portal, locate your certificate, and pay the fee to share it electronically with World Education Services.
Step 5: Track Your Application
Once your university sends your transcript, it usually takes WES a few days to update your portal.
You can log into your WES account at any time to track the progress. The dashboard will tell you if they are still waiting for documents, if your documents are under review, or if the evaluation is complete.
A standard evaluation usually takes about 7 business days after WES receives and verifies all your correct documents.
Important Tips for a Smooth Evaluation
- Never use unverified agents: Do not pay random people online who promise to “speed up” your WES evaluation. It is a scam. WES only deals with official institutions.
- Sort out name differences: If the name on your passport is different from the name on your degree certificate (maybe due to marriage), you must upload a sworn affidavit or a marriage certificate to your WES portal to prove your identity.
- Always use the Reference Number: If your university sends your transcript without your WES Reference Number, WES will not know who the document belongs to, and your application will be delayed for months.
