In a landmark move aimed at modernizing the conduct of national examinations, the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) and the National Examinations Council (NECO) have jointly announced plans to transition from traditional paper-based exams to computer-based testing (CBT) starting in 2026.
The decision, which follows months of consultations with key stakeholders in the education sector, is expected to align Nigeria’s assessment standards with global best practices, enhance examination security, and address logistical challenges long associated with manual testing.
During a joint press briefing held in Abuja on Monday, officials from both examination bodies revealed that pilot CBT implementations would begin later this year with selected internal assessments and mock exams in urban centers, before a nationwide rollout in 2026.
“This is not just a technological upgrade; it’s a paradigm shift in how we assess learning and academic integrity,” said Dr. Amos Dangut, WAEC’s Head of National Office. “The digital transformation is essential if we want to curb exam malpractice and ensure faster, more reliable results processing.”
NECO’s Registrar, Prof. Dantani Wushishi, echoed the sentiment, emphasizing the need for national preparedness. “We are working closely with state ministries of education, school administrators, and ICT partners to ensure that the infrastructure, training, and support systems are in place ahead of the full-scale transition,” he said.
However, the shift has raised concerns over digital inequality, especially in rural areas where access to computers and internet connectivity remains limited. Education rights groups have urged the government to invest in digital infrastructure and teacher training programs to ensure no student is left behind.
In response, the Federal Ministry of Education assured the public that substantial investments are already being directed toward equipping secondary schools with functional ICT centers. A national sensitization campaign is also scheduled to begin in the third quarter of 2025.
WAEC and NECO are expected to release detailed implementation timelines and technical guidelines by mid-2025, as the countdown to the 2026 digital examination era begins.
source: nairametrics.com
