WAEC, NECO Exams to Go Fully CBT by 2026

WAEC, NECO Exams to Go Fully CBT by 2026 – FG
NECO, lawmakers say digital format will reduce malpractice, improve standards
State governments urged to support CBT infrastructure across difficult terrains

The Federal Government has announced plans to fully migrate all Senior School Certificate Examinations (SSCE) conducted by WAEC and NECO to the Computer-Based Test (CBT) format by 2026.

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EKO HOT BLOG reports that Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, disclosed this during a visit to Sascon International School, Maitama, Abuja, where he monitored a pilot NECO CBT SSCE. He praised the seamless conduct of the pilot and confirmed that future exams will be held at designated CBT centres, not in schools.

“We will move WAEC and NECO exams away from school-based settings, just like JAMB. Thousands of existing CBT centres across Nigeria will be used. This will also expand the CBT business value chain,” Alausa said.

He noted that the initiative will reduce exam malpractice, enhance exam quality, and create jobs, while leveraging homegrown tech solutions.

NECO Registrar, Prof. Ibrahim Dantani Wushishi, expressed the council’s readiness for the shift despite infrastructure challenges. “We are prepared to conduct exams using any medium. State governments must support CBT infrastructure development,” he said.

Wushishi revealed that 1,367,210 candidates registered for this year’s SSCE, with Kano leading in enrolment. The least registered centre was in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, with eight candidates.

Senator Ekong Samson, Vice Chairman of the Senate Committee on Education, assured that lawmakers will ensure smooth implementation of CBT exams nationwide.

Also speaking, Hon. Oboku Oforji, Chair of the House Committee on Basic Examination Bodies, commended NECO for a successful exercise, describing it as a step in the right direction.