FG targets full computer-based WAEC exams by 2026

…moves to eliminate exam fraud

By Kunle Sanni

Minister of State for Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, has announced that Nigeria is on track to fully transition all major public examinations — including those conducted by the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) — to a computer-based testing (CBT) format by 2026, as part of sweeping efforts to curb examination malpractice.

Dr. Alausa made the disclosure on Wednesday while monitoring the conduct of WAEC’s ongoing computer-based examinations in Abuja. He described the shift as a “historic and crucial step toward fairness and educational integrity.”

“We are working very hard to eliminate fraud in our exam system, and WAEC is taking the lead,” the minister stated. “We now have clear evidence that when exams are done using technology, the level of fraud is minimized to almost zero.”

Commending WAEC for leading the transition, Alausa highlighted the advantages of the CBT system, noting that it not only streamlines the examination process but also offers significant protection against cheating and leaks.

He further praised the examination body’s deployment of secure local area networks (LANs) during testing, saying the digital infrastructure made it “literally impossible” to hack or compromise the integrity of exam data.

According to the minister, all WAEC multiple-choice questions will be administered through CBT by November 2025, with essay sections and National Examinations Council (NECO) tests to follow in 2026.

“This is about restoring credibility to our education system and giving every Nigerian child a fair chance to succeed,” Alausa said.