The Federal Government has reaffirmed its decision that all public examinations in Nigeria must transition to computer-based testing (CBT) by 2026, despite strong reservations from lawmakers, education stakeholders, and the public.
Officials argue that the shift is necessary to restore the credibility of Nigerian certificates, which are increasingly being rejected abroad due to decades of examination malpractice and corruption.
The West African Examinations Council (WAEC), which is leading the transition, has announced that the rollout will be phased, starting with multiple-choice questions before extending to theory and practical components.
However, legislators in the National Assembly have urged caution, warning that poor infrastructure, limited digital literacy, and the uneven distribution of technology could jeopardize the future of millions of students if the rollout is rushed.
Vice Chairman of the Senate Committee on Education, Senator Ekong Sampson, warned that the 2026 deadline might worsen existing challenges. Similarly, Senator Victor Umeh suggested a gradual hybrid system to ensure fairness, noting that WAEC’s candidate numbers are significantly larger than those of JAMB, which already conducts CBT exams. In the House of Representatives, Bayelsa lawmaker Oboku Oforji called for at least one fully equipped CBT centre in each of Nigeria’s 774 local government areas to close the digital gap.
WAEC’s Head of National Office, Dr. Amos Dangut, insisted the council was committed to equity and transparency, stressing that CBT would curb malpractice, speed up result processing, and rebuild international trust in Nigerian certificates.
Backing the initiative, the Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, set up a 17-member high-level committee chaired by JAMB Registrar, Professor Ishaq Oloyede, which recommended full migration to CBT by 2026 after wide consultations.
Even so, unions and private school owners have expressed doubts about the country’s readiness. They cited unreliable electricity, poor internet connectivity, inadequate infrastructure, and the lack of proper training for teachers and students as major obstacles. Critics also highlighted that, unlike JAMB’s multiple-choice exams, WAEC and NECO’s final-year tests require essays and theory responses, which demand stronger digital skills that many rural students currently lack.
Some stakeholders have called for a five-year extension of the timeline to allow wider sensitization, gradual implementation, and the establishment of CBT centres nationwide. Others warned that pushing ahead without addressing the gaps could deepen inequality and trigger mass failures.
Underlying the push for reform is Nigeria’s long-standing struggle with examination malpractice. Reports of question paper leaks, bribery of supervisors, and collusion between schools, parents, and students have damaged the reputation of Nigerian certificates globally. In some cases, parents openly admit to paying exorbitant fees for “special centres” where cheating is guaranteed.
It is this erosion of credibility, officials say, that has made CBT non-negotiable. While the vision is clear, whether Nigeria can deliver the infrastructure, training, and inclusivity required by 2026 remains in doubt—leaving millions of students caught between reform and reality.
