The West African Examinations Council (WAEC) has postponed the full rollout of computer-based testing (CBT) for the Senior School Certificate Examinations (SSCE) to 2027, moving the date from the earlier Federal Government directive of 2026.
According to the new plan, the 2026 May/June WASSCE will serve as a pilot phase. During this period, candidates may choose between writing their exams using CBT or the traditional paper-and-pencil format.
The Chairman of the Nigeria National Committee (NNC) of WAEC and Federal Government Nominee, Hajia Binta Abdulkadir, disclosed this on Thursday at the opening session of the 63rd NNC Annual Meeting in Umuahia, Abia State. She noted that the concerns raised by stakeholders over the 2026 deadline had been duly acknowledged, assuring that no candidate would be disadvantaged during the transition.
Abdulkadir, who is also the Director of Basic Education at the Federal Ministry of Education, highlighted ongoing efforts to ensure a smooth migration to full CBT. These include training senior secondary school students on using tablets and digital methods to answer essay questions.
Addressing the recently reviewed Basic and Secondary School Curricula, she emphasized that students would retain the freedom to register subjects across different groups, noting that science students, for example, can still take Economics as an elective. She also confirmed that the period for uploading Continuous Assessment Scores (CASS) has been extended to accommodate students taking newly approved subjects for the 2026 WASSCE.
At the event, WAEC honoured the top three candidates from the 2024 May/June examination as well as outstanding special-needs students. Master Ajisafe Qoreebullah Olamilekan of Eemaan Foundation College, Osogbo, emerged as the overall best candidate nationwide with a total score of 580.8535, earning distinctions (A1) in eight subjects. He is currently studying Medicine and Surgery at the Federal University of Health Sciences, Ila Orangun, Osun State.
The second and third best candidates—18-year-old Onovo Joan Eberechukwu and Master Mbah Chibukem Mac-Donald—were also celebrated for their exceptional performance. Both are already studying Medicine and Surgery at the University of Lagos and Afe Babalola University, respectively. All three top performers are products of private schools.
WAEC also recognized the best male and female candidates among special-needs students: 23-year-old Ugwu Christian Chiemerie and Miss Abiodun Taye Olubunmi. Christian, a visually impaired graduate of the College of Immaculate Conception, Enugu, is studying Law at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka. Taye, from Queen’s College, Lagos, is pursuing Guidance and Counselling at the University of Ilorin.
Abia State Governor, Alex Otti, represented by Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, Elder Goodluck Chinedu Ubochi, praised WAEC for its sustained efforts in promoting quality education and maintaining credible examinations. He commended the council’s proactive measures against malpractice and emphasized the state’s continued support.
Earlier, the Head of WAEC National Office, Dr. Amos Dangut, said the awards were introduced to promote academic excellence and healthy competition among schools nationwide. He congratulated the recipients and encouraged them to remain diligent in their academic journeys.
Hajia Abdulkadir also applauded the awardees and reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to supporting WAEC and ensuring Nigerian students remain globally competitive.
