The West African Examinations Council (WAEC) and the National Examinations Council (NECO) have announced plans to shift from using secondary schools to designated Computer-Based Testing (CBT) centres for the conduct of their Senior School Certificate Examinations (SSCE) starting in 2026. This move follows a directive from the Federal Government mandating a digital transition for public examinations.
The disclosure came during the May edition of the Education Dialogue organised by the Education Writers’ Association of Nigeria (EWAN), held virtually on Thursday. Key education figures—including WAEC’s Head of National Office, Dr. Amos Dangut; NECO Registrar, Professor Dantani Ibrahim Wushishi; and the Director of Basic and Secondary Education at the Federal Ministry of Education, Hajia Binta Abdulkadir—served as panelists at the event themed “CBT for SSCE: Is Nigeria Ready?”
During the dialogue, both Dangut and Wushishi affirmed their organisations’ preparedness to implement the CBT format for school-based SSCE candidates by 2026. While they acknowledged the challenges ahead—such as limited ICT infrastructure and low computer literacy in many schools—they described the transition as a necessary step for Nigeria’s education system in the digital age. They noted that both WAEC and NECO already use computer-based methods for some internal assessments and are building on that experience to expand nationwide.
Dangut revealed that a few schools are already experimenting with CBT for their ongoing May/June examinations. He argued that despite foreseeable hurdles, the digital format would lead to quicker resolutions of technical issues and help reduce examination malpractice. He also addressed recent concerns over WAEC’s delayed English Language exam, attributing the issue to logistics and assuring stakeholders of improved processes moving forward.
Responding to infrastructural concerns, Professor Wushishi explained that NECO intends to partner with credible, well-equipped CBT centres owned by private and public entities, much like the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB). He added that schools with adequate facilities would also be allowed to serve as exam venues. Wushishi noted that NECO originally planned to adopt CBT by 2027 but has brought the timeline forward to align with the government’s mandate. To test the system, NECO will begin with private candidates sitting for the November/December 2025 exam, which typically has fewer candidates compared to the over 1.3 million who take the regular school-based exams.
Hajia Binta Abdulkadir from the Federal Ministry of Education also emphasised the urgency of the transition, describing CBT as the only sustainable path for the future of Nigeria’s education system. She encouraged stakeholders to embrace the change and make the most of existing resources to support a smooth rollout.
Earlier, EWAN Chairman Mr. Mojeed Alabi raised concerns about the state of Nigeria’s education sector, highlighting the importance of consistent reforms and technological adoption. He stressed that the dialogue aimed to gauge the nation’s true readiness for CBT implementation and commended the efforts of key education agencies in preparing for the shift.
As the nation braces for this digital transformation, stakeholders appear united in their resolve to modernise examination processes despite the logistical and infrastructural challenges that lie ahead.
