Council Assures Smooth Transition, Says CBT Will End Exam Malpractices, Boost Global Credibility
The West African Examinations Council (WAEC) has declared its readiness to phase out paper-and-pen examinations and fully adopt Computer-Based Testing (CBT) for the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) by 2026.
Head of WAEC’s National Office, Dr. Amos Dangut, made the revelation on Tuesday in Abuja during a high-level sensitisation meeting with members of the National Assembly Committee on Education.
According to Dangut, the bold reform—already piloted with private candidates in 2024—has yielded “remarkable success,” showing that Nigerian students are ready for the digital shift.
> “We have conducted five examinations already—both for private and school candidates—and by 2026, deployment will be massive,” Dangut assured, stressing that the council is leaving no stone unturned to ensure seamless implementation across the country.
He dismissed fears about infrastructure and cyber vulnerabilities, insisting that WAEC had successfully conducted computer-based exams in even the most remote and underserved locations without disruptions.
Beyond logistics, Dangut revealed that candidates have performed “empirically better” in CBT than in the traditional paper-based format, a trend he described as encouraging and transformative for the education sector.
The WAEC boss further explained that the digital transition is not just about convenience but also about credibility. By embracing CBT, he said, the council would drastically reduce examination malpractice, safeguard the integrity of the certificate, and align Nigeria’s assessment system with global best practices.
Education stakeholders at the meeting hailed the move as a “giant leap” that would not only modernise Nigeria’s examination system but also prepare students for a competitive digital future.
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