The Nigerian Government has announced that the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) and the National Examinations Council (NECO) will fully transition to computer-based testing (CBT) for all components of their May/June examinations by 2026.
The Minister of State for Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, disclosed this during a monitoring exercise of the ongoing 2025 Senior School Certificate Examinations in Bwari, Abuja.
Dr Alausa explained that the move is intended to enhance examination integrity, eliminate malpractice, and align Nigeria’s assessment processes with international best practices.
“From 2026, all WAEC and NECO examinations will be conducted fully via computer-based testing,” he said.
“The objective section will commence by November 2025, and by May/June 2026, both objective and theory (essay) components will be delivered through CBT.”
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The Minister noted that if the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) can successfully conduct CBT for over 2.2 million candidates annually, WAEC and NECO are capable of replicating similar successes.
“There is no reason why WAEC and NECO cannot adopt full CBT when JAMB has been doing it efficiently for years. We must modernise and ensure our systems are credible and transparent,” he added.
Dr Alausa further revealed that a government committee is currently reviewing the national examination standards and is expected to submit its recommendations within the next month.
“This transition is not just about adopting technology; it is about restoring confidence in our examination processes and preparing our students for the digital future,” he said.
The government also reaffirmed its commitment to providing the necessary infrastructure and support to ensure a smooth transition to computer-based examinations, including the installation of CBT centres across the country, especially in rural and underserved areas.
“This reform will make our examination systems more efficient and transparent, deliver quicker results, and position Nigeria’s education sector in line with global standards,” Dr Alausa concluded.
