Is WAEC Certificate the same as Secondary school Certificate?

No, they are not the same, but a WAEC certificate is the specific type of secondary school certificate awarded to students who take the exams conducted by the West African Examinations Council (WAEC). The term "secondary school certificate" is a broader category for a diploma obtained at the end of upper secondary education, which can be from WAEC, National Examinations Council (NECO), or other bodies. 

If a student passes the WAEC exams, they receive a WAEC certificate, which serves as their secondary school certificate.

A WAEC certificate is a valid secondary school certificate.

Key differences

Secondary School Certificate: This is the general term for the certificate a student receives upon completing their senior secondary education.

WAEC Certificate: This is a specific type of secondary school certificate awarded by the West African Examinations Council (WAEC).

Other bodies: In Nigeria, for example, students can also get a Senior School Certificate from NECO. These are both considered forms of a Senior School Certificate Examination (SSCE) result. 

Relationship between the two

A WAEC certificate is a valid secondary school certificate.

If a student passes the WAEC exams, they receive a WAEC certificate, which serves as their secondary school certificate.

If a student takes the NECO exams, they receive a NECO certificate, which also serves as their secondary school certificate.