The Federal Government has praised the conduct of the ongoing 2026 West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE), describing the introduction of Computer-Based Testing (CBT) in selected centres as a significant step in the country’s transition towards digital examinations.
The commendation was given by the Minister of State for Education, Professor Suwaiba Sa’id Ahmad, during a monitoring exercise at examination centres in Abuja.
The minister visited Government Secondary School, Garki, and Apo Boys Secondary School, where she assessed the conduct of both CBT and paper-based examinations.
Speaking after the inspection, Ahmad expressed satisfaction with the organisation of the examination, noting that candidates demonstrated confidence and adaptability in both examination formats.
She observed that students at CBT centres were able to navigate the digital platform effectively, while traditional paper-and-pencil centres also recorded orderly and well-supervised examinations.
According to the minister, the successful implementation of the CBT model followed extensive pilot testing and preparations aimed at ensuring a smooth transition to digital assessments.
She disclosed that contingency measures, including alternative power sources such as solar systems and generators, were put in place to minimise disruptions during the examinations.
Ahmad reiterated the Federal Government’s commitment to gradually digitising public examinations while ensuring that schools and examination centres are adequately equipped for the transition.
She emphasised that the reform would be implemented in phases to guarantee inclusiveness and prevent disparities in access to examination opportunities.
Meanwhile, the Head of National Office of the West African Examinations Council (WAEC), Mr Patrick Dangut, revealed that 1,959,636 candidates from approximately 29,000 schools registered for the 2026 WASSCE across the country.
The Federal Government maintained that the ongoing examination reforms are designed to improve efficiency, credibility and reliability while ensuring that no candidate is disadvantaged as the country moves towards a technology-driven assessment system.
