In a landmark shift for the country’s education system, the Federal Government has announced that the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) and the National Examinations Council (NECO) will fully adopt computer-based testing (CBT) for their May/June senior secondary school examinations starting in 2026.
The move, disclosed on Monday by the Minister of Education, Professor Tahir Mamman, marks a significant step toward modernizing Nigeria’s examination infrastructure and aligning it with global assessment standards.
“We are working closely with WAEC and NECO to ensure a seamless transition to full computer-based testing by the 2026 examination cycle,” the minister said. “This reform is critical in promoting efficiency, transparency, and credibility in the administration of public examinations.”
Until now, WAEC and NECO have largely relied on traditional paper-based methods, even as other national bodies such as JAMB (Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board) have successfully transitioned to CBT. The adoption of CBT for WAEC and NECO is expected to reduce exam malpractice, streamline marking processes, and speed up result release timelines.
Both examination bodies have reportedly begun piloting CBT in select schools and are currently working on digital infrastructure upgrades in collaboration with state governments and private sector partners.
Educational stakeholders have welcomed the development but caution that rural areas may face challenges in terms of digital readiness.
“It’s a forward-thinking move, but we must ensure no student is left behind,” said Dr. Bisi Olatunde, a senior lecturer in education technology at the University of Lagos. “Investments in ICT infrastructure and training at the grassroots level will be key to success.”
The government has assured that phased implementation and robust support systems will be in place to ease the transition, including digital literacy programs for students and teachers.
If successful, Nigeria would become one of the first countries in West Africa to implement full-scale CBT for high school-leaving examinations.
source: nairametrics.com
