The Federal Government has announced that the National Examinations Council will begin conducting computer-based examinations from 2026 as part of efforts to modernise Nigeria’s examination system and reduce malpractice.
The Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa, disclosed this during the 25th anniversary celebration of NECO held in Abuja.
According to the minister, the transition to computer-based testing is expected to improve the credibility of public examinations and strengthen confidence in Nigeria’s education sector.
He explained that the new system would allow better monitoring of candidates during examinations, making it easier to detect suspicious activities and limit examination fraud.
The government also said the reform aligns with ongoing efforts to move Nigeria’s assessment system away from traditional paper-based methods toward technology-driven examinations.
Alausa noted that NECO has continued to improve its operations over the years through enhanced examination security, better scoring systems, and wider access to examinations across different parts of the country.
He added that educational assessments must go beyond memorisation and focus more on critical thinking, digital literacy, and problem-solving skills.
NECO Registrar, Ibrahim Dantani Wushishi, stated that the examination body has continued to expand its digital services and strengthen measures against malpractice.
The registrar also revealed that NECO has introduced several technology-based services, including electronic certificate verification and digital support systems aimed at improving examination processes.
The move comes amid increasing adoption of computer-based testing by major examination bodies in Nigeria, including the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board.
Education stakeholders believe the introduction of CBT examinations could improve transparency, reduce examination leakages, and speed up examination processing nationwide.
Leave a Comment