The West African Examination Council (WAEC) has reiterated its goal to conduct the 2026 West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) entirely through computer-based testing (CBT), to tackle exam malpractice and enhance digital integration across the region.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, by Dr. Amos Dangut, Head of WAEC’s National Office, revealed that the shift toward digital assessment has already begun, with private candidates participating in the November/December 2024 WASSCE pilot. The exam board has recorded steady progress in its phased rollout and plans a full-scale conversion to CBT for all candidates by 2026.
Dr. Dangut stated that they have successfully organized five examinations so far, covering both private and school candidates and their vision is a comprehensive launch by 2026.
Addressing concerns regarding infrastructure and safeguards against cyber threats, WAEC assured that tests conducted even in hard-to-reach areas happened without any incident. According to available data, students tend to achieve better outcomes under the CBT format compared to the traditional paper exams.
This announcement aligns with recent directives from Nigeria’s Federal Government, which stated that both WAEC and the National Examinations Council (NECO) will finalize their switch to fully electronic assessments starting with the 2026 May/June sessions. Minister of Education Dr. Tunji Alausa elaborated on this transition, saying the move from school-based exams to specialized CBT centres is crucial. He added that by next year, every component, including essay and multiple-choice questions, will be conducted electronically. According to the minister, NECO and WAEC will join the ranks of JAMB in this format.
WAEC first piloted CBT was conducted in 2024, specifically for private candidates with a hybrid model that combined on-screen objective questions and handwritten essays or practical sections. The following year, both school and private candidates saw the introduction of CBT as an alternative to the conventional pen-and-paper tests, allowing a choice during the 2025 WASSCE transition period.
Despite the enthusiasm, experts raise valid questions about the country’s preparedness for such a sweeping change. Folaranmi Ajayi, an educational analyst said that it’s not simply about digitizing question papers. The real challenge lies in infrastructure. According to Ajayi, many public schools are still struggling with insufficient computers and unreliable power supply. While JAMB centres serve as a model, their capacity was stretched during peak exam seasons.
In response, the Education Ministry reassured stakeholders that thousands of existing CBT centres, currently utilized for JAMB, will be repurposed to accommodate upcoming examinations. The minister added that these centres are ready and sufficient for the transformation. The minister stressed the aim to broaden access so that these facilities serve beyond just JAMB candidates.
WAEC and NECO’s digital transformation will herald a new era for standardized testing in West Africa, with the countdown to full CBT adoption underway.
