Minister: FG to Fully Adopt CBT for NECO, WAEC Exams by 2026

The Federal Government has announced a full transition to Computer-Based Testing (CBT) for the conduct of the Senior School Certificate Examinations (SSCE) by 2026. This includes all future NECO and WAEC exams, starting with objective papers by November this year.

Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, disclosed this on Tuesday after inspecting NECO’s pilot CBT exam at Sascon International School, Maitama, Abuja.

According to Alausa, the new model will mirror JAMB's approach by utilizing accredited CBT centres both privately owned and those in public institutions instead of holding the exams in secondary schools.

"We’re moving WAEC and NECO exams out of schools to CBT centres across the country,” he said. “There are thousands of such centres, and they should not be restricted to JAMB. These centres will help create jobs, expand the tech economy, and support local innovation.”

The Minister commended NECO for its smooth execution of the pilot and described the transition as a major step towards ending exam malpractice.

"We cannot continue with this madness of widespread cheating and question leaks. This transition is about integrity and preparing our students to compete globally,” he added.

Alausa also emphasized President Tinubu’s commitment to reforming education through technology, stating that the administration is unlocking new value chains in critical sectors.

NECO Registrar, Prof. Ibrahim Dantani Wushishi, expressed the Council’s readiness to conduct CBT nationwide, despite challenges in infrastructure in some areas.

We are fully prepared. Infrastructure may be a concern in difficult terrains, but we're engaging with states to provide the necessary support. This shift will curb malpractice and enhance the credibility of our certificates, which are globally recognized.”

He revealed that a total of 1,367,210 candidates registered for the 2025 SSCE the highest in NECO’s history. Of that number, over 685,000 are male and 681,000 female, with Kano State leading in registrations and Kebbi State recording the least.

NECO also recorded its smallest centre at the Nigerian International School in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, with only eight students.

Vice Chairman of the Senate Committee on Basic and Secondary Education, Senator Ekong Samson, pledged the National Assembly’s support for a smooth transition to CBT, noting that the shift aligns with global standards.

We are in the digital age. As lawmakers, we’ll back every effort to modernize our education sector and make it globally competitive,” he said after observing the exams at Government Secondary School, Maitama.

Chairman of the House Committee on Basic Examination Bodies, Hon. Oboku Oforji, echoed the sentiment while inspecting the Federal Government Boys College in Apo.

"We are proud of NECO’s direction under Prof. Wushishi. The exam was seamless. We commend the leadership and are confident in their ability to scale this nationwide.”

The government says full CBT deployment for both objective and essay sections of SSCE will be completed by 2026, effectively placing NECO and WAEC in the same digital league as JAMB marking a bold leap in Nigeria’s education reform.