The Federal Government has announced that all school-based Senior School Certificate Examinations (SSCE), including those conducted by WAEC and NECO, will be fully transitioned to Computer-Based Testing (CBT) by 2026.
Minister of State for Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, disclosed this on Tuesday, July 22, 2025, while monitoring a pilot CBT SSCE organized by the National Examinations Council (NECO) at Sascon International School in Maitama, Abuja.
Dr. Alausa praised NECO for the smooth conduct of the pilot CBT exercise, noting that future SSCEs will no longer be held within schools but in accredited CBT centres across the country—mirroring the model used by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB).
“WAEC and NECO exams will no longer be written in schools. We are shifting all school-based exams to designated CBT centres. These centres, both public and private, are well equipped to handle large-scale exams,” he said.
He emphasized that the initiative aims not only to improve exam integrity but also to boost the digital economy by expanding the role of existing CBT centres, which have largely serviced only JAMB.
“Thousands of CBT centres have been established with significant investment. This shift will open up more jobs, support local tech entrepreneurs, and create a new economic value chain,” Alausa noted.
He added that President Bola Tinubu’s administration is committed to unlocking opportunities in every sector, including education.
Full CBT Rollout in Phases
The Minister revealed a phased approach to the rollout:
- By November 2025: All objective sections of NECO and WAEC exams will be CBT.
- By 2026: Both essay and objective components will fully transition to CBT.
“This is the first time NECO is conducting its school-based SSCE in CBT format, and the pilot has proven it’s achievable. We must move past the era of rampant examination malpractice and leaked papers,” he said.
NECO Declares Readiness
NECO Registrar, Prof. Ibrahim Dantani Wushishi, also assured stakeholders of the council’s readiness to adopt CBT fully.
“We are ready to conduct exams through any medium. Yes, there are infrastructure challenges, especially in remote areas, but we’re addressing those with support from government and stakeholders,” he said.
He called on state governments to invest in CBT infrastructure to support the transition and enhance exam quality nationwide.
According to Prof. Wushishi, 1,367,210 candidates registered for this year’s NECO SSCE—the highest in its history. Of these, 685,551 are male, and 681,659 are female. Kano State recorded the highest number of candidates (over 137,000), while Kebbi had the lowest (just over 5,000). The Nigerian International School in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, had the least number of candidates, with only eight students.
Lawmakers Back Full Transition
Senator Ekong Samson, Vice Chairman of the Senate Committee on Basic and Secondary Education, pledged legislative support to ensure a smooth transition to CBT.
“We live in a digital era. Nigeria’s education system must evolve with global standards. We will provide all the support required to make this happen,” he stated.
Similarly, Hon. Oboku Oforji, Chairman of the House Committee on Basic Examination Bodies, lauded NECO’s effort during his visit to monitor the exams at Federal Government Boys College, Apo, Abuja.
“We’re impressed with NECO’s progress. This reform will restore credibility and promote excellence in our exam system,” he said.
The Federal Government’s move marks a significant shift in Nigeria’s examination system, aimed at curbing malpractice, ensuring fairness, and embracing technological advancement in education.
