The Federal Government has announced a major shift in Nigeria’s educational system, directing that the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) and the National Examinations Council (NECO) must fully transition to Computer-Based Testing (CBT) by 2026.
Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, revealed this development on Monday during an inspection of the ongoing Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) examinations in Bwari, Abuja. According to him, WAEC and NECO will start administering their objective sections via CBT as early as November this year.
Dr. Alausa stated that by the May/June 2026 examination period, both objective and essay sections will be conducted entirely through CBT. He stressed that the move aims to modernize Nigeria’s examination processes and curb widespread malpractice.
“If JAMB can successfully handle CBT for more than 2.2 million candidates, there is no reason why WAEC and NECO cannot do the same,” the Minister said. “By 2026, the entire exam structure — essays and objectives — will be computer-based.”
Alausa also revealed that a committee is currently reviewing national examination standards and will submit its recommendations next month. The reforms are part of broader efforts to upgrade the credibility and efficiency of Nigeria’s education system.
During the inspection, JAMB Registrar, Professor Ishaq Oloyede, addressed public concerns regarding early exam scheduling. He clarified that JAMB has always scheduled its first session for 8:00 a.m., and the requirement for candidates to arrive by 6:30 a.m. is to allow for thorough accreditation.
He firmly dismissed rumors that candidates were posted to unfamiliar exam centers, stating that investigations found no evidence to support such claims.
Professor Oloyede disclosed that over 1.6 million out of 2.03 million registered candidates had successfully completed their Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME), with around 50,000 candidates still sitting for the test.
He also revealed that more than 40 candidates had been arrested for various forms of exam malpractice, including impersonation and attempts to smuggle exam materials out using hidden cameras. Alarmingly, he noted that more than 41,000 registered candidates were underage.
The shift to CBT for WAEC and NECO marks a significant turning point for Nigeria’s education sector, with the government pledging continued reforms to ensure fairness, security, and global competitiveness.
