WAEC Assures Smooth Rollout of CBT for Candidates
The West African Examinations Council (WAEC) has confirmed its commitment to fully implement Computer-Based Testing (CBT) for the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) by the year 2026.
Dr. Amos Dangut, the Head of the National Office at WAEC, made this announcement while addressing members of the National Assembly Committee on Education in Abuja about the computer-based WASSCE.
Dangut explained that the implementation of CBT examinations is already underway and assured that every candidate would be included in the transition process.
He emphasized that the shift to CB-WASSCE aims to ensure the integrity of Nigeria’s certificates and to align evaluation methods with international standards.
Regarding student preparedness, he noted that WAEC plans to introduce mock examinations and online practice platforms to help candidates get accustomed to the system prior to the actual exams.
He recalled that WAEC successfully held Nigeria’s first CB-WASSCE in 2024 for private candidates in a hybrid format that combined traditional paper-and-pencil assessments with computer-based responses.
Building on that experience, he reported that the council had implemented the system for the 2025 WASSCE for school candidates, achieving notable progress.
“The Federal Government has instructed us to conduct our exams using the computer testing format, and with divine assistance, we have initiated this.
“We are fully committed to this task, and we have started it with no intention of turning back; it will be executed on a broad scale.
“We have conducted five exams thus far—four for private candidates and one for school candidates.
“And for 2026, we plan to execute it on a large scale, similar to JAMB, including mock examinations as preparation for the main test,” he stated.
In response to concerns about infrastructure and connectivity, Dangut reassured lawmakers and stakeholders that no student would be disadvantaged based on their location.
“We are extending our sensitization and demonstrations to all corners of Nigeria.
“We have successfully held exams even in remote areas, so infrastructure will not hinder this initiative. All registered candidates will be able to take their exams,” he asserted.
Addressing worries about cyberattacks or technical failures, Dangut refuted these concerns, stating that all CBT exams conducted thus far have gone smoothly, with candidates performing better than those in traditional paper-based assessments.
In his remarks, the Vice Chairman of the Senate Committee on Basic and Secondary Education, Sen. Adamu Usman, expressed the National Assembly’s full support for the rollout of computer-based examinations.
Usman, represented by Sen. Ekong Samson, highlighted that the National Assembly would assist WAEC in increasing budgetary provisions for the education sector in preparation for the 2026 rollout.
He mentioned that adopting CBT for WASSCE aligns with the federal government’s directive for enhancing the use of technology in national assessments.
Additionally, Rep. Oboku Oforji, representing the Yenagoa/Opokuma constituency in Bayelsa State, urged WAEC to establish a minimum of one CBT center in each of the 774 local government areas before the 2026 rollout begins.
Oforji indicated that the National Assembly would invite the Minister of Education for further clarification on the implementation plan while promising full support for the initiative.
Dr. Tunji Alausa, the Minister of Education, reaffirmed the federal government’s commitment to providing every Nigerian child with access to quality education that adheres to global standards.
“For over seventy years, WAEC has been a trustworthy organization, providing essential services to the African child and playing a crucial role in the progress of education throughout the sub-region,” he stated.
The minister emphasized the current government reforms within the education sector, including the revamping of the national curriculum, improving school facilities, and distributing modern educational tools like smart boards, among other initiatives.
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