The Federal Government has announced that beginning next year, all school-based Senior School Certificate Examinations (SSCE) will be conducted exclusively at Computer-Based Test (CBT) centres across the country, in a major shift aimed at curbing examination malpractice and improving the credibility of Nigeria’s education system.
Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, made this known on Tuesday, July 22, after inspecting a pilot CBT SSCE conducted by the National Examinations Council (NECO) at Sascon International School, Maitama, Abuja.
The initiative marks the first step toward a full digital transition of high-stakes secondary school examinations in Nigeria, with the government set to utilise thousands of accredited CBT centres, both privately owned and those attached to public institutions, for future exams conducted by NECO and the West African Examinations Council (WAEC).
SSCE to Emulate JAMB Model from 2026
Speaking after the inspection, Dr. Alausa expressed satisfaction with NECO’s seamless conduct of the pilot CBT exam, describing it as a significant leap forward. He explained that moving school exams from classrooms to external CBT centres would ensure standardisation, transparency, and eliminate opportunities for cheating.
“WAEC and NECO exams have traditionally been conducted in schools. We are changing that model. Just as JAMB exams are taken at CBT centres nationwide, so will SSCEs be by 2026,” he stated.
According to him, this transition not only expands the utility of Nigeria’s thriving CBT infrastructure but also opens new economic opportunities for the tech sector. “Owners of CBT centres have invested billions of naira. It's time to extend their value chain to include NECO and WAEC. This will create jobs, stimulate homegrown tech innovation, and modernise our assessment system.”
He added that by November 2025, all objective sections of NECO and WAEC exams will go fully CBT, with both objective and essay formats to follow suit in 2026.
A National Push to End Exam Malpractice
Highlighting the rationale behind the reform, Alausa noted that rising cases of question leaks and malpractice have eroded public trust in exam processes. “We cannot allow malpractice to destroy the potential of our youth. CBT is one of the most viable tools to tackle this head-on,” he said.
The Education Minister also urged state governments to support the transition by investing in digital infrastructure, particularly in rural and underserved areas where access to technology is still limited.
NECO, Lawmakers Back Rollout
Registrar of NECO, Prof. Ibrahim Dantani Wushishi, affirmed the exam body's readiness for the CBT transition despite infrastructure gaps. “As a professional body, NECO is fully equipped to adopt CBT. While we may face challenges in some terrains, especially remote areas, we are committed to scaling through with support from stakeholders,” he said.
He disclosed that 1,367,210 candidates registered for this year’s SSCE—NECO’s highest ever, underscoring the urgency of modernising the process. Kano State led with the most candidates (137,000+), while Kebbi had the least (just above 5,000). Outside Nigeria, the Nigerian International School in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, registered only eight candidates.
Lawmakers from both chambers of the National Assembly who monitored the exams expressed full support. Vice Chairman of the Senate Committee on Education (Basic and Secondary), Senator Ekong Samson, said the Senate would back every policy move aimed at keeping Nigeria’s education system globally competitive.
Similarly, Chairman of the House Committee on Basic Examination Bodies, Hon. Oboku Oforji, praised NECO for conducting a smooth examination and pledged legislative oversight to ensure the successful rollout of CBT in schools.
Implications for Nigeria’s Education System
The shift to CBT for school exams marks one of the most ambitious digital reforms in Nigeria’s education sector in recent years. It aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s broader economic and technological agenda, which includes expanding digital infrastructure and youth empowerment.
If fully implemented, the reform could reduce exam fraud, increase result processing speed, and improve the global acceptance of Nigerian-issued certificates. However, equitable access, especially in rural regions, will require significant investment and planning.
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