𝗠𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝗗𝗲𝘁𝗮𝗶𝗹𝘀 𝗘𝗺𝗲𝗿𝗴𝗲 𝗢𝗻 𝗙𝗲𝗱𝗲𝗿𝗮𝗹 𝗚𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿𝗻𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁'𝘀 𝗠𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗮𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘆 𝗖𝗕𝗧 𝗧𝗿𝗮𝗻𝘀𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗙𝗼𝗿 𝗡𝗘𝗖𝗢 2026 𝗘𝘅𝗮𝗺𝘀

𝗕𝗬 𝗡𝗜𝗚𝗘𝗥𝗗𝗘𝗟𝗧𝗔 𝗩𝗢𝗜𝗖𝗘,

𝐍𝐢𝐠𝐞𝐫 𝐃𝐞𝐥𝐭𝐚, 𝐍𝐢𝐠𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐚.

The Federal Government has unveiled more details regarding its directive that all examinations conducted by National Examinations Council (NECO) and eventually West African Examinations Council (WAEC) must fully transition to Computer-Based Testing (CBT) by 2026.

The policy, announced during NECO’s 25th anniversary celebration in Abuja by the Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa, is part of a nationwide reform aimed at combating examination malpractice, improving transparency, and modernising Nigeria’s educational assessment system.

According to the minister, the transition will begin in phases, with objective questions moving first to CBT platforms before essay components are fully digitised by 2026.

Alausa said the government has already tested pilot CBT examinations, which were considered successful, paving the way for nationwide implementation.

“We are at the threshold of a very important reform, which NECO is spearheading, and that is the Computer-Based Examination,” the minister stated.

Key Changes Expected From 2026

Under the new arrangement:

NECO examinations will no longer be conducted primarily within secondary school premises.

Candidates will sit for examinations at accredited external CBT centres across the country.

Objective and essay papers will both become computer-based.

Real-time monitoring systems will be deployed to track suspicious activities during examinations.

Digital examination tools will be used to reduce question leakages, impersonation, and collusion.

Education authorities say the reform mirrors the CBT model already adopted by Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), which officials claim has significantly reduced examination fraud and improved operational efficiency.

Speaking at the event, NECO Registrar and Chief Executive, Dantani Wushishi, disclosed that the examination body has intensified digital reforms in preparation for the transition.

According to him, NECO has already introduced:

Digital result verification systems

Electronic certificates

E-library services

Data analytics platforms

Expanded ICT infrastructure nationwide

Wushishi also revealed that NECO examinations are now conducted in eight countries, describing the council as an increasingly recognised examination institution internationally.

What Candidates Should Expect

Candidates preparing for NECO examinations from 2026 onward are expected to:

Improve their computer literacy and typing skills

Become familiar with CBT environments

Practice digital answer submissions

Use online mock examinations and preparation platforms

Education stakeholders say students in rural communities may require additional digital training to ensure inclusiveness during the transition.

The Federal Government is also expected to expand accreditation for secure CBT centres nationwide to accommodate millions of candidates yearly.

Qualified operators and institutions interested in hosting CBT examinations are expected to register through official NECO channels as the implementation date approaches.

Authorities say the reform became necessary following persistent cases of:

Examination malpractice

Question paper leakages

Candidate impersonation

Centre collusion

Result manipulation

The government believes the adoption of CBT will strengthen examination credibility, speed up result processing, and align Nigeria’s education sector with global best practices.

Participants at the anniversary event expressed optimism that the reform would restore public confidence in national examinations while promoting merit-based academic assessment in the country.