The Federal Government has announced that the National Examinations Council will commence computer-based examinations as part of sweeping reforms aimed at modernising Nigeria’s assessment system and curbing the persistent challenge of examination malpractice across the country.
The announcement was made on Thursday by the Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa, during the 25th anniversary celebration of NECO held in Abuja, where education stakeholders gathered to reflect on the council’s growth and future direction.
According to the minister, the introduction of Computer-Based Examinations represents a major milestone in strengthening the credibility, transparency, and global competitiveness of Nigeria’s public examination system.
“We are at the threshold of a very important reform, which NECO is spearheading, and that is the Computer-Based Examination, which is to commence this year,” Alausa said during his address at the event.
He explained that the transition to technology-driven examinations would enable authorities to monitor candidates in real time, reduce human interference, and detect suspicious activities capable of compromising the integrity of examinations.
The minister described NECO as one of the country’s most important educational institutions, noting that the examination body has evolved significantly over the last 25 years despite facing initial doubts and infrastructural limitations at inception.
According to him, NECO has continued to improve examination security, expand access to underserved communities, and restore public confidence in its certificates through technological innovations and reforms.
Alausa further stressed that Nigeria’s education sector must move beyond outdated methods of assessment that focus mainly on memorisation, adding that modern education should encourage critical thinking, digital literacy, creativity, and problem-solving skills among students.
“As we celebrate this Silver Jubilee, may NECO and the Ministry of Education continue to work in unison, fostering trust, driving reform, and ensuring that certification remains a passport to brighter futures for all students,” he added.
Also speaking at the anniversary celebration, the Registrar and Chief Executive of NECO, Dantani Wushishi, revealed that the council has expanded its operations beyond Nigeria and now conducts examinations in eight countries, a development he described as evidence of growing international recognition for NECO certificates.
“Today, NECO stands as a benchmark for credible examinations in the region and among international peers,” Wushishi stated.
He disclosed that the council has introduced several reforms in recent years, including digital verification systems, electronic certificates, e-library services, and data analytics platforms aimed at improving operational efficiency and service delivery.
Wushishi also noted that NECO has embarked on infrastructural expansion projects across several states while strengthening logistics and examination administration nationwide.
Education stakeholders at the event welcomed the planned introduction of computer-based examinations, describing it as a timely intervention in a country where examination malpractice, question leakages, impersonation, and collusion have remained major concerns within the education system.
The transition is also expected to deepen digital learning culture among secondary school students while encouraging schools to improve their technological infrastructure ahead of the implementation.
However, some education analysts have urged the government to address challenges such as poor electricity supply, inadequate digital facilities, internet connectivity issues, and uneven access to computers in rural communities to ensure the success of the initiative across the country.
For many stakeholders, the reform signals a new chapter in Nigeria’s public examination system as authorities intensify efforts to restore integrity, accountability, and efficiency within the nation’s education sector.
