The Federal Government today announced the change of the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) to Computer-Based Testing (CBT).
The Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, described the initiative as a reform to safeguard the integrity of Nigeria’s education system.
Alausa said the development marks “a historic milestone in our education sector.” He explained that the shift to CBT would “strengthen the integrity of our examinations, drastically reduce malpractice, and ensure Nigeria’s assessment system meets global standards.”
The Minister commended the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) for sustaining trust in public examinations over the years. He recalled that the body had introduced several digital platforms, including the Digital Examiners’ Mark Sheet, WAEC Konnect, the e-Learning platform, and the Digital Certificate Platform.
“For over 73 years, WAEC Nigeria has remained a dependable partner in advancing education across West Africa,” Alausa said, adding that the council had consistently demonstrated commitment to technological progress.
He tied the latest move to President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which is focused on reforms at all levels of education. According to him, government efforts include restructuring the national basic and senior secondary curricula, upgrading classrooms with modern tools, reforming technical colleges, and strengthening tertiary and medical education.
“The adoption of computer-based examinations is a deliberate step to safeguard the credibility of our certificates and empower the Nigerian child with the skills needed for a knowledge-driven economy,” he said.
Dr. Alausa assured parents, teachers and students that the Ministry of Education would work with schools to prepare learners for the CBT examination. “Together, we will make this a smooth, successful, and transformative step forward,” he stressed.
He concluded by describing education as the greatest legacy for future generations. “Education is the greatest legacy we can give our children — and together, we are securing its future,” the Minister stated.
