Prof. Samuel Bandele, Vice-Chancellor of Anchor University, Lagos, has urged the Federal Government to approach the planned full adoption of Computer-Based Testing (CBT) by the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) and the National Examinations Council (NECO) with caution.
Speaking recently with journalists in Lagos, Prof. Bandele, a respected expert in test and evaluation, stressed that the transition to CBT must be meticulously planned and executed to avoid challenges that could undermine the quality of the examination system.
While commending the move to sanitize exam conduct and curb malpractice, the Vice-Chancellor warned that a solid foundation must be laid to support the shift effectively.
He expressed concern that many schools preparing candidates for WAEC and NECO may lack the infrastructure and capacity to administer the essay and theory components of the exams by the May/June 2026 deadline.
“WAEC and NECO administer achievement tests that assess a student’s ability to express ideas, communicate effectively, and demonstrate creativity and critical thinking in theory papers,” Prof. Bandele explained.
“This differs from the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) exam, which is primarily a screening test designed to reduce the number of candidates seeking university admission due to limited spaces.”
He cautioned against reducing achievement exams to objective-only formats in the push for CBT, noting that such a move could dilute the quality and integrity of the examinations.
The Vice-Chancellor also dismissed calls to scrap JAMB following technical glitches that affected this year’s exam results, commending the board’s Registrar, Prof. Ishaq Oloyede, for his professionalism in handling the crisis.
“Prof. Oloyede has brought remarkable transformation to JAMB during his tenure, and his leadership remains crucial to the success of our national examinations,” he added.
Earlier, the Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, announced that all national examinations in Nigeria, including those conducted by WAEC, will transition to 100 per cent CBT by 2026. The initiative aims to enhance the security, efficiency, and credibility of the examination process.
