The Federal Government has reiterated its determination to fully adopt Computer-Based Testing, CBT, for the West African Examinations Council, WAEC, by 2026, aiming to modernise the nation’s exam system and drastically reduce malpractice.
Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, made this announcement on Wednesday while monitoring the ongoing WAEC CBT exams in Abuja. The exams, which began on April 24, are expected to run until June 20, 2025.
Describing the ongoing CBT deployment as a “bold and historic leap,” Alausa praised WAEC for leading the way in adopting digital innovation in Nigeria’s education sector.
“We are committed to reforming our examination landscape through technology. This is not just a modernisation drive—it is about restoring credibility and trust in our educational assessments,” Alausa stated.
The minister emphasised that CBT significantly curbs cheating and eliminates many forms of exam fraud common in the traditional pen-and-paper format.
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He revealed that the CBT examinations were being conducted on a secure Local Area Network, which eliminates the risk of hacking or question leaks.
“By November 2025, we expect all multiple-choice WAEC examinations to be fully CBT-based,” he said. “NECO and essay-based questions will follow this transition by 2026.”
Addressing challenges such as digital infrastructure in rural and underserved communities, Alausa admitted that gaps still exist but stressed that proactive measures are being implemented to scale up nationwide readiness.
“While we may not have every system in place today, we are pushing the limits. This transformation is not optional—it’s necessary,” he said, adding that the government is actively working on logistical frameworks to accommodate the unique scheduling needs of students sitting for multiple subjects.
He further noted that the average WAEC candidate sits for eight to nine subjects, making it imperative to plan for staggered sessions and ensure equitable access to CBT facilities across the country.
The announcement has sparked optimism among education stakeholders, many of whom see the full transition to CBT as a major stride toward transforming Nigeria’s academic evaluation processes for the digital age.
NAN
