The Honourable Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Tunji Alausa CON, has reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to transitioning all national public examinations. Specifically the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) and National Examinations Council (NECO) from the traditional Paper-Pencil Test (PPT) to full Computer-Based Testing (CBT) by 2026.
Dr. Alausa made this announcement on Tuesday, July 22, 2025, during a monitoring visit to the pilot phase of NECO’s CBT-based Senior School Certificate Examination (SSCE) at SASCON International School, Maitama Abuja. The initiative signals a significant milestone in the education sector reform agenda under the leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
Describing the pilot as a “remarkable demonstration of possibility, preparedness, and progress,” the Minister praised NECO for taking bold steps to modernise the national examination process.
“This is the first time NECO is conducting its SSCE using CBT in selected centres,” he noted. “It’s a sign that what many thought was impossible is achievable through commitment, innovation, and the right partnerships.”
The Minister disclosed that by November 2025, both WAEC and NECO will administer objective papers via CBT, with full migration—including essay components slated for 2026. These examinations, he added, will be held exclusively at accredited CBT centres, not within school premises.
“This transition is not just about technology,” Dr. Alausa emphasized. “It’s about restoring integrity to our examination system, curbing malpractice, creating jobs, and unlocking a new value chain in our education and ICT sectors. These centres—many owned by private Nigerian entrepreneurs—are homegrown solutions we must embrace and support.”
He assured the public that the Federal Government, through collaboration with state governments, will ensure access to both public and private CBT centres across the country, particularly in underserved areas.
The Chairman of the House Committee on Basic Examination Bodies, Hon. Oboku Oforji, also commended NECO for the successful execution of the pilot scheme during an oversight visit to Federal Government Boys College, Apo, Abuja.
Likewise, Senator Ekong Samson, Vice Chairman of the Senate Committee on Education (Basic and Secondary), applauded the move to CBT, affirming legislative support for the shift toward digital assessment.
“We are living in an age of technology, and Nigeria must move with the global trend. The Senate is committed to supporting this transformation,” he said.
Registrar of NECO, Prof. Ibrahim Dantani Wushishi, stated that despite topographical challenges, the Council is fully prepared to transition to CBT.
“We may have terrain-related limitations,” he acknowledged, “but that will not hold us back. NECO is a professional examination body—equipped and willing to evolve.” He further appealed to state governments to invest in CBT infrastructure to support nationwide implementation.
This year’s NECO SSCE recorded a historic registration of 1,367,210 candidates, including 685,551 males and over 681,300 females. Kano State had the highest number of registered candidates (over 137,000), while Kebbi State recorded the lowest (just over 5,000). The smallest examination centre was the Nigerian International School in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, with only eight students.
The Ministry calls on all stakeholders—including state governments, private sector partners, and school proprietors—to align with this bold reform, which aims to improve transparency, enhance national and international confidence in Nigeria’s certificates, and reposition the examination system for global competitiveness.
Signed
Folasade Boriowo
Director, Press & Public Relations
