Breaking News: FG Orders WAEC, NECO to Fully Adopt CBT by 2026
FG Directs WAEC and NECO to Fully Transition to CBT by 2026
The Nigerian Federal Government has officially directed the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) and the National Examinations Council (NECO) to fully adopt Computer-Based Testing (CBT) starting from 2026.
According to a report from the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), more than two million candidates are currently sitting for the ongoing WAEC and NECO exams across over 800 centres nationwide.
Speaking at an education stakeholders’ forum, Alausa announced that WAEC and NECO will commence the administration of objective tests through CBT by November 2025. By May/June 2026, both the objective and essay components of the exams will be fully conducted via CBT.
“If JAMB can successfully conduct CBT exams for over 2.2 million candidates, WAEC and NECO can certainly do the same,” Alausa stated.
He emphasized that this move will significantly curb examination malpractices that have plagued the system for years.
Alausa further disclosed that a national committee is currently reviewing examination standards in Nigeria. Their recommendations are expected to be released in the coming month.
Meanwhile, JAMB Registrar Prof. Ishaq Oloyede cleared the air regarding the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) procedures. He reiterated that UTME examinations have always been scheduled to start at 8:00 a.m., with candidates required to arrive by 6:30 a.m. for proper accreditation and screening. Oloyede dismissed complaints about early reporting times, emphasizing the need for thorough pre-exam verification.
He also addressed concerns over candidates being posted to centres they did not choose, assuring the public that investigations showed no irregularities in centre allocations.
As the UTME progresses, statistics reveal that out of 2.03 million registered candidates, over 1.6 million have successfully completed their exams, with about 50,000 candidates still writing theirs. Alarmingly, over 40 candidates have been arrested for malpractices such as impersonation and smuggling out exam questions using hidden cameras. Additionally, more than 41,000 underage candidates were flagged during the registration process.
What This Means for Students and Parents
The move toward full CBT adoption marks a major shift in Nigeria’s examination landscape. It promises:
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Increased transparency
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Reduced opportunities for cheating
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Faster exam result processing
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Improved exam management
Students and schools are encouraged to start familiarizing themselves with computer-based testing formats well ahead of the 2026 timeline.
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Salahdeen HI is a seasoned e-learning, education, and ICT professional with years of experience driving innovation in the education sector. He is the founder of Edunaija, one of Nigeria’s leading education blogs, where he shares insights, resources, and updates to support students and educators alike. Beyond his work in education technology, Salahdeen is also a passionate content creator and blogger, using digital platforms to inform, empower, and inspire. His professional journey includes notable roles such as working in the Lagos State Governor’s Office, focusing on Systems Support and Computer Education across Education Districts. Through Edunaija and his digital content, Salahdeen is committed to leveraging technology to transform education in Nigeria.