The West African Examinations Council (WAEC) has lauded the Ekiti State Government for its proactive measures in upgrading Information and Communication Technology (ICT) facilities across public schools in the state. The commendation comes as WAEC prepares to transition the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) to a Computer-Based Test (CBT) format.
WAEC’s Branch Controller in Ekiti State, Amos Dogari, made this known during an advocacy visit to the State Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Dr. Olabimpe Aderiye, in Ado Ekiti. He noted that the state’s investment in ICT infrastructure will not only prepare students and teachers for the new examination system but also strengthen the integrity of the testing process.
According to Dogari, the upgrades represent a major step forward in promoting digital literacy among young learners in Ekiti State. He explained that the council’s planned migration to CBT was designed to modernise the assessment process and align with global best practices.
“Efforts such as these will help ensure that both students and teachers are adequately prepared for the new system. It will also assist in improving examination integrity and providing a conducive environment for digital learning,” Dogari stated.
Highlighting the importance of sensitisation, the WAEC official disclosed that advocacy programmes would be rolled out across the three senatorial districts of Ekiti. These sensitisation campaigns, he said, would target students, teachers, parents, and other stakeholders to ensure they are well informed about the new testing model.
The programmes are expected to reduce potential resistance, foster cooperation, and encourage stakeholders to take ownership of the transition process. “We want an environment where individuals and groups feel personally invested and accountable for achieving desired results,” Dogari added.
On the details of the new model, Dogari explained that WAEC’s CBT system would adopt a hybrid format. Under this model, multiple-choice (objective) questions will be answered directly on-screen, while essay and practical questions will be displayed on-screen but answered in paper booklets provided by the council.
This approach, he said, was carefully designed to combine the benefits of computerised testing with the need to maintain traditional evaluation methods where necessary. It will allow students to gradually adapt to digital assessments while ensuring fairness in evaluation.
Dogari further highlighted that the adoption of CBT will bring numerous advantages, including faster result processing, greater efficiency, and enhanced security against examination malpractice. It will also allow WAEC to adapt better to ongoing technological changes and the evolving landscape of global education.
The meeting between WAEC and the Ekiti State Ministry of Education was described as highly productive, with discussions centering on modalities for a smooth transition. Both parties reportedly pledged to work closely in ensuring that no student or school is left behind in the new digital-driven process.
Commissioner Aderiye expressed the state’s readiness to support WAEC’s initiative, reaffirming the government’s commitment to investing in digital infrastructure and preparing students for global competitiveness. She noted that Ekiti was determined to be a frontrunner in adapting to the new examination format.
With WAEC’s migration to CBT drawing closer, Ekiti’s preparedness stands as an example for other states in Nigeria. Education stakeholders have welcomed the development as a critical step in bridging the technological divide in public schools while raising the standard of education delivery.
As preparations continue, WAEC has assured candidates and schools that adequate training and support will be provided. The transition, the council insists, is not just about examinations but also about equipping Nigerian students with digital skills needed to thrive in an increasingly technology-driven world.
