The Federal Government has announced a complete transition of all national public examinations, specifically those conducted by the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) and the National Examinations Council (NECO), from the traditional Paper-Pencil Test (PPT) format to complete Computer-Based Testing (CBT) by 2026.
Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Tunji Alausa, made this known on Monday, July 22, during a monitoring visit to NECO’s pilot CBT-based Senior School Certificate Examination (SSCE) at SASCON International School, Abuja.
Describing the pilot as “a remarkable demonstration of possibility, preparedness, and progress,” the Minister commended NECO for taking the lead in digitising Nigeria’s examination process. According to Dr. Alausa, beginning in November 2025, both WAEC and NECO will conduct the objective components of their examinations via CBT platforms. A complete transition, including essay papers, is slated for 2026. All tests will be administered at accredited CBT centres nationwide.
“This reform is not just about adopting technology – it is about restoring the integrity of our examinations, reducing malpractice, creating jobs, and unlocking new value chains within Nigeria’s education and ICT sectors,” the Minister stated. He assured that the Federal Government would work closely with state governments and private sector stakeholders to ensure the availability of CBT centres in urban and rural communities.
Legislators present during the visit, including Hon. Oboku Oforji and Senator Ekong Samson, pledged full legislative support for the reform, describing it as long overdue.
NECO Registrar, Professor Ibrahim Wushishi, also affirmed the Council’s readiness for the complete transition despite terrain-related challenges in some parts of the country.
He called on state governments to partner with NECO to address infrastructure gaps and ensure inclusivity. “This initiative is a major leap forward, and NECO is committed to ensuring no candidate is left behind,” Prof. Wushishi stated.
The 2025 SSCE has recorded 1,367,210 candidates, with Kano State leading in registration numbers. The smallest exam centre was recorded in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, underscoring the reach of Nigerian education services.
Following the visit, Folasade Boriowo, Director of Press and Public Relations at the Federal Ministry of Education, urged all stakeholders to align with the government’s vision for a technology-driven examination system. “This is a transformative journey toward modernising our assessment frameworks,”
Boriowo said. “We call on educators, parents, state governments, and the private sector to support this digital reform that will redefine the future of public examinations in Nigeria.” The Ministry reaffirmed its commitment to building an inclusive, credible, and globally competitive education system for all Nigerian students.
