The Nigerian Federal Government has reaffirmed its commitment to combating examination malpractice by transitioning the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) and the National Examinations Council (NECO) to Computer-Based Testing (CBT) by 2026. Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa, announced this initiative during an appearance on Channels Television's *The Morning Brief* on May 6, 2025.
This decision follows the release of the 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) results, where over 1.5 million out of 1.95 million candidates scored below 200 out of 400. Minister Alausa attributed this outcome to the stringent security measures implemented in the UTME's CBT format, which have significantly reduced cheating. He contrasted this with the traditional paper-based exams of WAEC and NECO, where malpractice remains prevalent.
To address this disparity, the government plans to commence the CBT transition with objective papers by November 2025, aiming for full implementation, including essay components, by the May/June 2026 examination cycle. Minister Alausa emphasized that this move is essential to uphold academic integrity and ensure a level playing field for all students.
He also highlighted that examination malpractice not only undermines merit but also discourages diligent students. The prevalence of "miracle centres" and other fraudulent practices has created an environment where honest students feel disadvantaged. The shift to CBT is seen as a necessary step to restore confidence in the examination system.
The Ministry of Education has conducted a comprehensive review of the nation's examination systems and has engaged in consultations with key stakeholders, including WAEC, NECO, the National Business and Technical Examinations Board (NABTEB), and the National Board for Arabic and Islamic Studies (NBAIS). These efforts aim to ensure a smooth transition to CBT and to reinforce the government's stance against examination malpractice.
WAEC has previously piloted CBT for private candidates in 2023, with over 8,000 participants, indicating a readiness to adopt this format on a broader scale. The government's directive underscores its determination to enhance the credibility of Nigeria's education system through technological advancements.
