Starting in 2026, all secondary school certificate exams conducted by NECO and WAEC will be fully computer-based, the Federal Government has confirmed.
This decision follows a successful pilot of a CBT version of the NECO SSCE in Abuja.
Education Minister, Dr. Tunji Alausa, who monitored the pilot, said the new system will mirror JAMB’s model and gradually replace traditional paper-based tests. He emphasised that public and private CBT centres across the country will be used instead of school halls.
The minister noted that adopting CBT for national exams will help tackle exam malpractice, support local tech innovation, and create new economic opportunities for ICT entrepreneurs who run these centres.
By the end of this year, both NECO and WAEC will adopt CBT for objective sections of their exams. The full transition, including theory papers, is expected to be completed next year.
NECO Registrar, Prof. Ibrahim Wushishi, affirmed the council’s preparedness for the switch and urged state governments to invest in digital infrastructure to ensure nationwide access, especially in remote areas.
Lawmakers who monitored the exam process expressed satisfaction with NECO’s performance and pledged to support policies that modernise Nigeria’s education system.
