The National Examination Council (NECO) is set to take a significant step towards innovation in examination processes by conducting a Computer-Based Test (CBT) for the November-December Senior Secondary Certificate Examination (SSCE) aimed at private students. This initiative positions NECO as a leading examination body in Africa, committed to modernizing assessment methods.
Prof. Dantani Ibrahim Wushishi, NECO’s Registrar and Chief Executive, emphasized the importance of an awareness campaign to engage stakeholders in this new approach. He noted that NECO has been actively conducting town hall meetings across various states to discuss the transition to CBT.
During a recent virtual dialogue series organized by the Education Writers’ Association of Nigeria (EWAN), themed “CBT for SSCE: Is Nigeria Ready?”, Wushishi revealed that there are over 2,000 CBT centres nationwide, including those operated by the National Open University in various states and local councils. He mentioned that NECO is also working on mapping schools to the nearest CBT centres to facilitate access for students.
Hajia Binta Abdulkadir, Director of Senior Secondary Education, affirmed that examination bodies, including the West African Examinations Council (WAEC), possess the necessary resources to conduct CBT exams. She highlighted the efforts of the committee titled “Improvement of Public Examinations in Nigeria,” led by Prof. Is-haq Oloyede, Registrar of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), which is currently addressing these issues and will deliver a report soon.
Abdulkadir also stressed the importance of holding individuals accountable for sabotaging examinations, urging the government to revive punitive laws against examination malpractices.
Participants in the EWAN dialogue shared diverse perspectives on the implementation of CBT. Dr. Adunola Osoba suggested a phased approach to establishing CBT centres, emphasizing the need for extensive sensitization for stakeholders, particularly candidates. Meanwhile, AbdulRasheed Rabana pointed out the challenges of transitioning to CBT, particularly in conducting practical, oral, and essay examinations, stating that multiple-choice formats are currently the most adaptable to CBT.
As NECO moves forward with this innovative approach, it aims to enhance the integrity and efficiency of examinations in Nigeria, reinforcing its position as a leader among examination bodies in Africa.
OBSERVERS TIMES recall that
The Federal Government has directed WAEC and NECO to fully adopt Computer-Based Testing (CBT) for all exams by 2026. According to the Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, starting November 2025, WAEC and NECO will begin using CBT for their objective tests.
This move follows the success of JAMB, which already uses CBT for its UTME exams.
By May/June 2026, both objective and essay sections of WAEC and NECO exams will go fully digital. The shift to CBT aims to boost exam security, cut down on cheating, and make the process faster and more efficient. Dr. Alausa stressed that this is a major step in digital education in Nigeria.
Students, schools, and exam bodies are urged to prepare early for this change. This digital upgrade supports better exam delivery and reflects Nigeria’s growing interest in education technology, online learning, and computer-based exams—topics that attract high interest and advertising revenue.
