In a significant move towards modernizing Nigeria’s educational assessment system, the Federal Government, through the Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, has announced that all examinations in the country will be fully transitioned to computer-based testing (CBT) by the year 2027. This declaration was made during the inauguration of the Committee on Improvement of Quality Examinations in Nigeria, held in Abuja on Thursday.
The minister emphasized that this shift is part of a broader initiative to address key challenges in the education sector, standardize examination practices, and ensure fairness and quality in how students are evaluated. “We aim to ensure that by 2027, all examinations in Nigeria will be computer-based. We are committed to working diligently to make this a reality, leveraging technology to facilitate this transition,” Dr. Alausa stated.
The announcement comes as a response to the growing need to curb examination malpractices and to align with global educational standards, where CBT is increasingly becoming the norm. The transition will affect all major examination bodies in Nigeria, including WAEC (West African Examinations Council), NECO (National Examinations Council), and NABTEB (National Business and Technical Examinations Board).
Dr. Alausa highlighted several benefits of moving to a 100% CBT system, including reduction in examination malpractices, efficiency and speed in processing results, authenticity and security of exam certificates, and promoting equity and access. The minister announced that exam certificates will now feature three key identifiers—national identification numbers, candidates’ photos, and birthdates—to ensure the authenticity of results and combat identity theft.
However, this transition is not without its challenges. Concerns have been raised regarding the readiness of infrastructure, particularly in less urbanized areas where access to computers and reliable internet might be limited. The minister acknowledged these issues and mentioned that the government plans to partner with various stakeholders to expand and improve CBT facilities nationwide.
The committee inaugurated today will be tasked with addressing these and other challenges, including the local swapping of candidates during exams, which has been a significant concern. The minister also spoke about the necessity of a holistic approach in tackling examination leakages, recognizing that students are not the only culprits in malpractices but are often enabled by parents, teachers, and examination supervisors.
This bold step towards a fully digital examination system by 2027 is part of Nigeria’s broader digital transformation agenda, aligning with the country’s development plans and goals for enhancing human capital. As the government moves forward with this plan, it will be crucial to monitor the progress, ensure equitable access, and prepare both educators and students for this significant change in how learning outcomes are assessed in Nigeria.