- The Federal Government plans to transition all national examinations to 100% Computer-Based Testing by 2027 to combat widespread examination malpractices
- Dr. Tunji Alausa announced new examination certificate measures, including NIN, photographs, and dates of birth for candidate identification
The Federal Government of Nigeria has announced a 2027 target for the full transition of major examinations, including WASSCE and NECO, to Computer-Based Testing (CBT).
Dr. Tunji Alausa, the Minister of Education, revealed this on Thursday in Abuja during the inauguration of the Committee on Improvement of Quality Examinations in Nigeria. The committee has been tasked with addressing challenges in the education sector, standardizing examination practices, and ensuring fairness and quality.
Alausa emphasized the government’s commitment to combating examination malpractices and improving the overall integrity of the education system. He noted that malpractices are not limited to students, citing parents, teachers, school principals, and exam supervisors as contributors.
The minister stated, “By 2027, we plan for all our exams to be computer-based. Technology will play a key role in achieving this goal. Tackling exam leakages and malpractices requires a holistic approach involving all stakeholders.”
To enhance examination credibility, the committee will focus on:
- Eliminating examination leakages.
- Addressing identity theft in exams.
- Improving supervision and monitoring during exams.
Alausa also announced new measures to ensure the authenticity of examination certificates. By the next examination period (May–July), certificates from WAEC, NECO, and NAPTEB will feature three key identifiers:
- National Identification Numbers (NIN) of candidates.
- Photographs of the candidates.
- Dates of birth of candidates.
“These identifiers will provide near-100 percent certainty in identifying candidates and ensuring the credibility of examination results,” the minister explained.
The government aims to leverage technology and tighter regulation to rebuild trust in the education system and create a fairer examination process for all participants.