The Federal Government has acknowledged that Nigeria may not yet possess the full infrastructure required to implement Computer-Based Testing (CBT) for the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) nationwide by November 2025.
This was disclosed by the Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, on Wednesday during an inspection of the ongoing WAEC CBT pilot examinations in Abuja.
While expressing strong support for the digital transformation of the nation’s examination system, Dr. Alausa admitted that infrastructural limitations particularly in rural and underserved areas pose significant challenges to meeting the 2025 deadline.
“Will we have every single infrastructure in place by November 2025? Absolutely not. But we are committed to getting there. We must challenge ourselves as a government,” he said.
CBT as a Tool Against Exam Malpractice
Dr. Alausa commended WAEC for pioneering the CBT model, describing the move as a bold step toward modernising Nigeria’s educational assessment framework and curbing exam malpractice.
He emphasized the government’s dedication to fully transitioning all public examination bodies, including WAEC and the National Examinations Council (NECO), to CBT formats by 2026.
“CBT provides a secure and efficient assessment system. We have clear evidence that technology-driven exams drastically reduce fraud almost to zero,” he noted.
Logistical Preparedness and Strategic Planning
Addressing concerns about the logistics of conducting multiple examinations via CBT, Dr. Alausa assured that examination bodies are actively strategising to manage the process efficiently.
“In WAEC, students typically write eight to nine papers spread over several days. Managing this digitally is complex, but plans are already in motion,” he explained.
CBT Rollout Timeline and Sector Reactions
In April, the Minister had unveiled the government’s official plan for transitioning WAEC and NECO exams to CBT. According to the roadmap:
November 2025: WAEC will begin administering multiple-choice papers via CBT.
May/June 2026: Full implementation, including essay-type papers, is scheduled to begin.
While the initiative has been lauded as a progressive step, it has also stirred concern among educators and stakeholders over Nigeria’s readiness for a large-scale digital transition.
Ike Onyechere, founder of Exam Ethics Marshals International (EEMI), warned that 67% of Nigeria’s secondary schools public and private operate as so-called “exam magic centres.” These centres, he said, often lack legitimate infrastructure yet continue to obtain accreditation, highlighting a deeper systemic problem.
Conclusion: Bold Vision, Real Challenges
The federal government’s push for digital exams by 2026 signals a bold vision for education reform. However, bridging the infrastructure gap, eliminating malpractice, and ensuring fair access to all students remain critical hurdles. As Nigeria moves forward, success will depend on transparent implementation, strategic investment, and continuous stakeholder engagement.
Credit: Nairametrics
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