FG to Shift WAEC, NECO Exams to CBT by 2026.

The Federal Government has announced that all school-based Senior School Certificate Examinations (SSCE) conducted by WAEC and NECO will be transitioned to a Computer-Based Test (CBT) format by 2026. The Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, made this known during a visit to Sascon International School, Maitama, Abuja, where NECO conducted a pilot CBT exam.

Dr. Alausa praised NECO for successfully conducting the pilot and confirmed that future exams would no longer take place in schools but at designated CBT centres, similar to how JAMB exams are administered. He explained that many CBT centres already exist across the country and will now be utilized for WAEC and NECO exams, helping to broaden their economic value and create jobs.

The minister emphasized the need to phase out the current school-based model to reduce exam malpractice and increase credibility. He expressed satisfaction with NECO’s preparation, saying the successful pilot shows that transitioning to CBT is achievable.

According to Dr. Alausa, by November 2025, both NECO and WAEC objective questions will be fully CBT-based, while all sections, including essay questions, will shift to CBT by 2026.

NECO Registrar, Prof. Ibrahim Dantani Wushishi, reaffirmed the body’s readiness to implement CBT, although he acknowledged infrastructure limitations in remote areas. He called on state governments to support the transition by investing in CBT infrastructure.

Wushishi also highlighted that 1,367,210 students registered for this year’s SSCE—the highest number ever. Kano recorded the highest number of candidates with over 137,000, while Kebbi had the fewest, just over 5,000. The Nigerian International School in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, had the lowest centre enrollment with eight candidates.

Senator Ekong Samson, Vice Chairman of the Senate Committee on Basic and Secondary Education, and Hon. Oboku Oforji, Chairman of the House Committee on Basic Examination Bodies, also monitored the exams and pledged legislative support for a smooth transition to CBT. They commended NECO’s performance and stressed the need for Nigeria’s education system to keep pace with global standards.