In a decisive move to curb examination malpractice in Nigeria’s education sector, the Federal Government has reaffirmed its commitment to fully transition the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) and National Examinations Council (NECO) to Computer-Based Testing (CBT) by 2026.
The Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, announced this during a guest appearance on Channels Television’s The Morning Brief on Tuesday. The announcement comes amid heightened concerns over the integrity of public examinations, particularly following the release of the 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) results, where over 1.5 million of the 1.95 million candidates scored below 200 out of 400.
Addressing the poor performance and its implications for Nigeria’s educational standards, Alausa said, “That’s a big concern, and it reflects exams being conducted properly. JAMB has successfully tackled cheating through its CBT system, and now it’s time for WAEC and NECO to follow suit.”
The Minister revealed that upon assuming office, the Ministry conducted a nationwide diagnostic review of examination practices. “We set up a committee to investigate how exams are being conducted across the country, and I expect to receive their full report soon,” he noted.
CBT Rollout Timeline for WAEC and NECO
Alausa confirmed that by November 2025, both WAEC and NECO would commence CBT for objective papers, with the full migration—including essay components—scheduled for the May/June 2026 examination cycle.
“We have to leverage technology to fight this fraud. The proliferation of so-called ‘miracle centres’ is unacceptable. Our students are capable, but the corrupt system discourages hardworking learners. We must fix this,” he asserted.
The Minister emphasised that examination malpractice not only undermines merit but also erodes trust in Nigeria’s educational qualifications. “The biggest tragedy of cheating is that it discourages diligent students. If a student knows their peers already have access to leaked questions, what motivation is left to study hard? This is how we lose good students,” he warned.
Addressing Systemic Challenges Beyond Exam Security
When asked whether poor academic performance is rooted in weak enforcement or declining learning outcomes, Alausa acknowledged a combination of both, with malpractice remaining a significant issue.
“While we’re improving teacher quality and introducing digital learning platforms from primary to secondary levels, the systemic exam fraud in WAEC and NECO is the core problem we must urgently resolve,” he explained.
According to him, extensive consultations have already taken place with WAEC, NECO, the National Business and Technical Examinations Board (NABTEB), and the National Board for Arabic and Islamic Studies (NBAIS) to ensure a smooth transition to CBT.
“There’s no going back. By November this year, WAEC and NECO will begin conducting CBT exams, starting with objective questions. It’s a new era for Nigeria’s education sector,” the Minister declared.
A Glimpse into CBT’s Success Story
WAEC has already piloted the CBT format with private candidates in 2023, recording over 8,000 participants in its inaugural computer-based exam. The success of this trial underscores the feasibility of extending the model nationwide.
The Federal Ministry of Education formally directed WAEC and NECO in April to adopt CBT for all examinations by 2026, with the Ministry setting firm deadlines for the transition.
