The recent announcement by Nigeria’s Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, regarding the full transition of the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) and the National Examinations Council (NECO) to a computer-based test (CBT) format by 2026 has sparked intense debate among stakeholders in the education sector.
Dr. Alausa stated during an inspection of the ongoing Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) in April that external WAEC and NECO exams starting in November/December 2025 would be computer-based. He added that by May/June 2026, school-based examinations would also adopt the CBT format.
While officials of both WAEC and NECO, including Dr. Amos Dangut (WAEC Head of National Office) and Prof. Dantani Wushishi (NECO Registrar), claim readiness and highlight the benefits of CBT — such as reduced logistics issues and exam malpractice — many stakeholders are urging caution, citing glaring infrastructural and systemic limitations.
Examination Bodies Assert Readiness
Dr. Dangut of WAEC emphasized that CBT would help eliminate logistical hurdles, pointing to the recent incident where candidates sat for their English Language paper as late as midnight. “We’ve already begun implementing CBT in some areas,” he said. “The benefits outweigh the challenges.”
Prof. Wushishi of NECO echoed similar sentiments. He argued that existing CBT centres used by JAMB and NOUN could be leveraged to support the transition. He admitted that the infrastructure is not perfect but stressed the importance of starting and improving along the way. “We are already mapping our facilities. The innovation process is ongoing,” he said.
Concerns from Stakeholders
However, multiple stakeholders — including parents, lecturers, students, and educational advocacy groups — are raising serious doubts about the feasibility of a full CBT rollout.
Access and Equity
Dr. Niyi Sunmonu, President of the Congress of University Academics (CONUA), warned that students in rural and underserved communities might lack the digital literacy, access to computers, or stable electricity needed to take CBT exams. “Without addressing these gaps, such students may be unfairly excluded,” he cautioned.
Exam Format Limitations
Education advocate Rasheed Rabana argued that the nature of WAEC and NECO examinations does not suit CBT, particularly as it extends beyond multiple-choice questions to include essay writing, practicals, and diagrammatic answers. “We are trying to force-fit a format that doesn’t work,” he said.
Similarly, Dr. Isaac Areo, a former lecturer from the University of Abuja, now in Rwanda, expressed concern about the negative impact of CBT on students’ writing skills. “Most of our students are better speakers than writers. CBT could worsen this gap,” he said.
Infrastructural Gaps
Alhaji Haruna Danjuma, President of the National Parent Teacher Association of Nigeria (NAPTAN), declared that the initiative is “not currently possible.” He noted that many schools lack computers, power supply, and qualified ICT instructors. “We are sitting on a time bomb if we proceed unprepared,” he said.
Prof. Nassir Adesola of ASUU (Academic Staff Union of Universities) advised against rushing into CBT without a thorough assessment and pilot testing. “A blanket implementation could compromise the integrity of our exams,” he said, highlighting challenges like electricity, logistics, and lack of skilled personnel.
Student and Youth Reactions
Comrade Adeyemi Samson Ajasa, the National PRO of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), urged the government to evaluate how CBT works for UTME first. “UTME is a one-day exam; SSCE runs for over a month. The scale is vastly different. We can’t use the same strategy without careful planning,” he said.
Political and Legislative Views
Chinedu Ogah, a member of the House of Representatives, described the move as premature. He noted that science subjects requiring practical demonstrations cannot be adequately tested via CBT. “We are killing science education by removing the hands-on experience that is essential to subjects like Chemistry and Physics,” he argued.
Educationists Caution Against Hasty Policy
Beatrice Aketuamhen and Ariyo Ismail, two educationists, emphasized that unlike UTME, SSCE spans weeks and includes various subject types. They criticized the top-down implementation approach, stating that CBT shouldn’t be adopted as a blanket policy. “Lagos and Abuja are not Nigeria. Most communities don’t even have the basic amenities,” Ismail added.
Ministry’s Response
Despite opposition, the Federal Ministry of Education, through its Director of Senior Secondary Education, Hajia Binta Abdulkadir, insists that CBT will significantly reduce exam malpractice. “If we don’t start, we will never be ready. It’s time to innovate,” she said.
Conclusion
While the move towards digital testing aligns with global trends in education, most experts agree that Nigeria must take a gradual, inclusive approach. Issues like digital literacy, infrastructure, exam design, and social equity must be addressed first. The current consensus is clear: the policy, though well-intended, is not yet ripe for full implementation without significant groundwork.
