In a landmark decision poised to revolutionize secondary school examinations in Nigeria and across West Africa, the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) has reaffirmed its commitment to fully transition the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) to a Computer-Based Testing (CBT) format by 2026. This bold move, announced by Dr. Amos Dangut, the Head of WAEC’s Nigeria National Office, during a sensitization meeting with the National Assembly Committee on Education in Abuja, marks a significant step toward modernizing Nigeria’s education system. The decision aligns with global trends in digital assessment, aims to curb examination malpractice, and seeks to prepare students for a technology-driven future. However, it has also sparked debates about infrastructure readiness, equity, and the potential risks of such a sweeping change in a country grappling with technological and logistical challenges.
The Context: A Paradigm Shift in Examination Systems
The WASSCE, administered by WAEC, is a critical milestone for millions of secondary school students across Nigeria, Ghana, Sierra Leone, Liberia, and The Gambia. Conducted annually for both school and private candidates, the examination serves as a gateway to tertiary education and is a benchmark for academic achievement in the region. Traditionally, WASSCE has been a paper-based examination, requiring students to complete objective and essay questions in physical booklets. While this system has been effective for decades, it has faced persistent challenges, including examination malpractice, logistical delays, and inefficiencies in result processing.
The shift to CBT is part of a broader effort by WAEC and the Nigerian government to modernize the education sector and align it with international best practices. Computer-based testing has already been successfully implemented by other examination bodies in Nigeria, notably the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), which transitioned to CBT for the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) over a decade ago. JAMB’s experience has demonstrated the potential of CBT to reduce cheating, streamline result processing, and enhance the credibility of examinations. Inspired by this model, WAEC began experimenting with CBT in 2024, starting with private candidates in the WASSCE First Series, which ran from January 31 to February 17, 2025. This initial phase adopted a hybrid model, with objective questions administered digitally and essay/practical components completed on paper.
Dr. Amos Dangut highlighted that WAEC has conducted five CBT exams to date, including one for school candidates in 2025, with “significant progress” recorded. The council plans to scale up this initiative to a full CBT rollout by 2026, covering both objective and essay sections for all candidates. This transition is supported by the Federal Government, which sees it as a critical reform to enhance the integrity of national examinations and equip students with digital skills essential for the 21st century.
Strategic Objectives of the CBT Transition
The decision to adopt a fully computer-based WASSCE by 2026 is driven by several strategic objectives. First, WAEC aims to combat examination malpractice, a pervasive issue that has undermined the credibility of WASSCE results. Practices such as collusion, use of unauthorized materials, and question paper leakages have been rampant in the paper-based system. CBT, with features like randomized question sets and secure digital platforms, is expected to create a more controlled testing environment, reducing opportunities for cheating. For instance, WAEC introduced paper serialization in 2025 for core subjects like Mathematics and English, which significantly reduced collusion incidents, though it also led to a technical glitch that temporarily affected result releases.
Second, the transition aligns with Nigeria’s push toward digital transformation in education. The Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, described the move as a “historic step” that complements ongoing reforms in curriculum development, infrastructure upgrades, and the adoption of digital learning tools like smart boards. By exposing students to CBT, WAEC aims to familiarize them with digital testing environments early, preparing them for similar systems in higher education and professional certifications. This is particularly relevant as global education systems increasingly rely on technology for assessments.
Third, the CBT model is expected to improve efficiency in examination administration and result processing. Paper-based exams require significant logistical resources, including printing, transportation, and manual marking, which can delay result releases and increase costs. CBT streamlines these processes by automating question delivery and grading for objective sections, potentially allowing WAEC to release results faster and reduce operational expenses.
Implementation Plan and Preparatory Measures
To ensure a smooth transition, WAEC has outlined a phased approach to the CBT rollout. The council began with a hybrid model in 2024 for private candidates, followed by an optional CBT format for both school and private candidates in 2025. By 2026, the goal is to implement a “massive deployment” of CBT across all WASSCE examinations, covering objective, essay, and practical components. To support this, WAEC is introducing several preparatory measures:
Mock Sessions and Practice Platforms: WAEC plans to roll out mock CBT exams and online practice platforms to help students familiarize themselves with the digital format. These platforms, such as the WAEC E-Study Portal and WAEC Konnect, provide access to past questions, marking schemes, and performance analysis tools, ensuring candidates are well-prepared.
Infrastructure Mapping: Recognizing Nigeria’s infrastructural challenges, WAEC is mapping out CBT centers in each of the country’s 774 local government areas to minimize travel burdens for students, particularly in rural areas. Dr. Dangut emphasized that the council has successfully conducted exams in hard-to-reach areas, demonstrating its capacity to overcome logistical barriers.
Stakeholder Engagement: WAEC is collaborating with the Federal Ministry of Education, state governments, security agencies, and educational stakeholders to ensure the success of the transition. The sensitization meeting with the National Assembly was part of this effort, aimed at securing legislative support and increased budgetary allocations for education.
Digital Certificate Platform: To complement the CBT system, WAEC has introduced a digital certificate platform (www.waec.org), allowing candidates to access their results and certificates online within 48 hours of verification. This reduces reliance on physical certificates, which can be lost or delayed.
Challenges and Concerns
Despite the optimism surrounding the CBT transition, significant challenges remain. Nigeria’s education sector faces systemic issues, including inadequate infrastructure, unreliable electricity, and limited internet access, particularly in rural areas. Lawmakers, including Rep. Oboku Oforji, have urged WAEC to establish at least one CBT center in each local government area to ensure accessibility. However, setting up and maintaining these centers requires substantial investment, which may strain government budgets already stretched by competing priorities.
Cybersecurity is another major concern. While Dr. Dangut dismissed fears of cyberattacks, citing successful CBT exams in remote areas, critics point to JAMB’s experience, where technical glitches and hacking attempts have occasionally disrupted operations. The 2025 WASSCE results, for instance, faced a temporary setback due to a grading error linked to paper serialization, highlighting the risks of integrating new technologies into legacy systems. WAEC has pledged to address these issues through robust security measures, including Secure Socket Layer (SSL) encryption and regular system audits.
Equity is a critical issue, as not all students have equal access to technology. Rural and underserved communities may struggle with computer literacy, limited exposure to digital devices, and unreliable power supply. Lawmakers, such as Sen. Ekong Samson, have cautioned against a rushed rollout, suggesting a phased approach that prioritizes urban centers before expanding to rural areas. They argue that a hybrid model, combining CBT and paper-based options, should be maintained temporarily to avoid disenfranchising students who are not computer-literate.
The scale of WASSCE also poses a logistical challenge. Unlike JAMB’s UTME, which is a single-day exam, WASSCE requires candidates to take up to nine subjects over several weeks, placing significant pressure on CBT centers. Critics question whether Nigeria’s existing infrastructure can handle the combined demands of WAEC, NECO, and JAMB examinations, especially given the limited number of functional CBT centers.
Stakeholder Reactions and Support
The CBT transition has elicited mixed reactions from stakeholders. The Federal Government, through Minister Alausa, has endorsed the initiative, emphasizing its alignment with President Bola Tinubu’s vision for education as a cornerstone of national development. Alausa highlighted the potential of CBT to reduce malpractice and enhance the global recognition of Nigerian certificates. The National Assembly has also pledged support, with lawmakers promising to increase budgetary allocations to education to facilitate infrastructure development.
Educational stakeholders, including the All Nigeria Confederation of Principals of Public Schools (ANCOPPS) and the National Association of Proprietors of Private Schools (NAPPS), have expressed cautious optimism. They acknowledge the benefits of CBT but stress the need for adequate preparation, including teacher training and student sensitization. The National President of ANCOPPS, Muhammad Musa, emphasized that schools must be equipped with computers and reliable internet to ensure a seamless transition.
However, some stakeholders have raised concerns about readiness. Educationist Dr. Harmony Mark-Ewa, in a statement to BBC News Pidgin, linked the poor performance in the 2025 WASSCE (38.32% pass rate in five subjects, including English and Mathematics, compared to 72.12% in 2024) to systemic issues, including weak partnerships between schools and parents. She warned that rushing the CBT transition without addressing these underlying challenges could exacerbate performance gaps.
Implications for Nigeria’s Education System
The transition to a fully computer-based WASSCE by 2026 represents a defining moment for Nigeria’s education system. If successful, it could enhance the credibility of WASSCE results, reduce malpractice, and position Nigeria as a leader in digital education in Africa. The move aligns with global trends, as countries like the United States, the United Kingdom, and India have increasingly adopted CBT for standardized tests. It also supports Nigeria’s broader digital economy goals, equipping students with skills critical for a technology-driven world.
However, the success of this initiative hinges on addressing infrastructural and equity challenges. The government and WAEC must invest heavily in CBT centers, teacher training, and student preparation to ensure inclusivity. Failure to do so could widen educational disparities, particularly between urban and rural students, and undermine public confidence in the examination system.
Looking Ahead: The Road to 2026
As WAEC prepares for the 2026 WASSCE, the council faces a critical window to fine-tune its CBT infrastructure and address stakeholder concerns. The upcoming 2025 private candidates’ examination, which will also be CBT-based, provides an opportunity to test and refine the system. WAEC’s collaboration with JAMB, which has over a decade of CBT experience, could provide valuable insights to navigate technical and logistical hurdles.
The transition also has broader implications for other examination bodies, such as the National Examinations Council (NECO), which is set to adopt CBT by 2026. The combined pressure on Nigeria’s CBT infrastructure underscores the need for coordinated efforts between WAEC, NECO, JAMB, and the government to expand and upgrade facilities.
Conclusion
WAEC’s commitment to a fully computer-based WASSCE by 2026 is a bold and forward-thinking initiative that promises to transform secondary education in Nigeria and West Africa. By embracing digital technology, WAEC aims to enhance examination integrity, efficiency, and global competitiveness. However, the journey to 2026 is fraught with challenges, from infrastructure deficits to equity concerns. The success of this transition will depend on robust planning, stakeholder collaboration, and significant investment in digital infrastructure. As Nigeria stands at the cusp of this educational revolution, the world watches to see whether WAEC can deliver on its promise to ensure that “no child is left behind” in this digital shift.
