The Federal Government has announced a bold initiative to migrate all O’ Level examinations conducted by the National Examinations Council (NECO) and the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) to Computer-Based Testing (CBT) within the next three years. This strategic move aims to enhance security and integrity in Nigeria’s examination system.

Dr. Tunji Alausa, the Minister of Education, revealed this plan during a meeting in Abuja with officials from JAMB, NECO, WAEC, and the Senior Secondary Education Directorate. Highlighting the urgency of addressing examination fraud, he stated, “We are moving swiftly to protect the future of our education system and ensure that our students’ achievements are recognised fairly and accurately.”

The Director of Press and Public Relations, Boriowo Folasade, affirmed the ministry’s zero-tolerance policy towards malpractice, emphasizing the need to safeguard the sanctity of examinations. To tackle issues like exam leakages and identity theft, Alausa announced the formation of a committee that will officially launch in January 2025.

Minister of State for Education, Dr. Suwaiba Ahmad, echoed these sentiments, expressing concern over widespread unethical practices such as students sharing leaked answers on WhatsApp and schools bribing officials to facilitate cheating. She warned, “These acts undermine the credibility of assessments and compromise the moral and academic development of students.”

Ahmad called for collective action, stressing that stakeholders must restore transparency and fairness to Nigeria’s educational system. “With these measures in place, Nigeria is poised to strengthen the credibility of its educational system and set a new standard for examination security,” she concluded.

The transition to CBT aims to not only modernize exam processes but also curb longstanding malpractice issues, setting a firm deadline of 2027 for full implementation.