The Oyo State Government has reiterated its readiness for the official take-off of the Computer-Based Test (CBT) mode of the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) examinations, in line with the Federal Government’s directive on a phased transition from the traditional pen-and-paper system to digital testing.
The Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Hon. Olusegun Olayiwola, made this known while receiving the WAEC Zonal Coordinator and Deputy Registrar, Mr. Waheed Amode, alongside his management team during a courtesy visit to his office on Wednesday, February 4, 2026.
Olayiwola disclosed that Governor Seyi Makinde has directed relevant authorities to work out the financial implications for the procurement of over 60,000 laptops for public senior secondary schools across the state. According to him, the initiative is aimed at positioning Oyo State ahead of the full implementation of CBT examinations.
He praised WAEC for the proactive steps taken to address challenges recorded during the 2025 examinations and assured the Council of the Ministry’s continued support in tackling examination malpractice and preventing vandalism of school facilities.
Speaking earlier, Mr. Amode explained that the visit was to express WAEC’s appreciation to the Oyo State Ministry of Education for its support during the 2025 examinations and for its sustained collaboration over the years, describing the Ministry as a critical stakeholder in the Council’s operations.
He revealed that registration for the 2026 May/June WAEC examination closed on February 2, 2026, adding that the examinations would be conducted using a hybrid of CBT and pen-and-paper methods, depending on the preparedness of individual schools. He noted that schools interested in fully adopting CBT are required to formally communicate their readiness to WAEC.
Amode also cautioned candidates against bringing mobile phones into examination halls, warning that offenders risk severe sanctions, including the possible cancellation of an entire school’s results, depending on the situation. He urged school principals and teachers to uphold integrity to enhance educational standards.
Meanwhile, Commissioner Olayiwola has called on parents, guardians, and teachers to strengthen collaboration in addressing moral decline in schools. He stressed that strong home–school partnerships are crucial to raising disciplined, responsible, and value-driven students.
The call was made during a meeting with members of the National Education Reform Movement (NERM), where the Commissioner urged stakeholders to prioritise discipline and quality teaching. In his remarks, NERM leader, Mr. Adewumi Abass, warned that poor parent–teacher collaboration and increasing examination malpractice pose serious threats to Nigeria’s education system. He recommended the use of the resource book, Parenting for Excellence, as a practical guide to improving educational outcomes.
