The Federal Government has announced the official transition of the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) to Computer-Based Testing (CBT), marking a major reform in Nigeria’s education sector.
The announcement was made by the Minister of Education, who described the development as a “historic milestone” aimed at strengthening the integrity of examinations, reducing malpractice, and aligning Nigeria’s assessment system with global standards.
For more than 73 years, the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) has conducted examinations across the region. The Council has in recent years introduced innovations such as the Digital Examiners’ Mark Sheet, WAEC Konnect, an e-Learning platform, and a Digital Certificate Platform, which stakeholders say demonstrate its commitment to adopting technology.
The Federal Ministry of Education stated that the adoption of computer-based examinations would safeguard the credibility of certificates and equip Nigerian students with skills relevant to a knowledge-driven economy. The Minister assured parents, teachers, and students that the government would work closely with schools to prepare learners for the transition.
The reform is part of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which includes restructuring the national curriculum, upgrading classrooms with modern tools, and reforming technical, tertiary, and medical education.
Education stakeholders are expected to continue engaging with the Ministry to ensure the smooth implementation of the CBT model in schools nationwide.
