In a bold move aimed at improving transparency and curbing exam malpractice, the Federal Government has announced that all WAEC and NECO school-based exams will fully adopt Computer-Based Testing (CBT) by 2026.
This decision, revealed by the Ministry of Education, marks a major step toward modernising Nigeria’s education system.
The Minister of State for Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, disclosed this during a monitoring visit to a pilot CBT session conducted by NECO in Abuja.
He noted that transitioning to CBT is not just a technology upgrade but a long-overdue step in strengthening the credibility of examinations.
“WAEC and NECO will soon be like JAMB conducting exams in certified CBT centres across the country. This isn’t just about exams; it’s about building a modern, tech-driven value chain in our education sector,” Alausa stated.
The pilot test took place at Sascon International School, Abuja, and was said to have run seamlessly.
This was a clear indicator that the shift from paper-based testing to digital assessments is achievable.
Moreover, the use of existing CBT centres across Nigeria, previously used for JAMB exams, is expected to make the transition smoother.
According to Alausa, the government plans to repurpose and upgrade thousands of these centres to accommodate students taking WAEC and NECO.
He also pointed out that the move would not only cut down on examination fraud but also encourage investment in education infrastructure.
By November 2025, all multiple-choice papers in WAEC and NECO will be done via CBT.
Meanwhile, full implementation, including essay components, is expected by 2026.
Registrar of NECO, Prof. Dantani Wushishi, confirmed the council’s readiness. While acknowledging some infrastructural gaps, especially in remote areas, he said, “We are ready. As professionals, we’re committed to delivering exams via any medium. We call on state governments to support this effort by providing needed infrastructure.”
Furthermore, he noted that CBT would help reduce widespread malpractice and increase global recognition for Nigerian certificates.
In addition, lawmakers have thrown their support behind the reform.
Senator Ekong Samson, Vice Chairman of the Senate Committee on Basic and Secondary Education, described the pilot session as a success and said the Senate would provide full support.
“This transition is vital, and we’ll support it in every way possible,” echoed Hon. Oboku Oforji, who led a team to inspect NECO’s activities at the Federal Government Boys College, Apo.
Data from NECO shows that over 1.3 million students registered for this year’s SSCE, making it the highest ever.
Kano State had the largest number of candidates, while Kebbi had the least.
Interestingly, the Nigerian International School in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, had just eight students enrolled.
The move to CBT is widely seen as a step in the right direction.
It addresses long-standing issues such as exam fraud, delays in results, and outdated systems.
Consequently, it aligns Nigeria’s education sector with international best practices.
