The Federal Government has finalised plans to deploy privately-owned and public Computer-Based Test (CBT) centres for the conduct of Senior School Certificate Examinations (SSCE) by 2026.
The initiative, revealed by Education Minister Dr. Tunji Alausa during a pilot CBT SSCE conducted by NECO in Abuja, marks a shift away from school-based examination administration toward centralised, tech-enabled centres similar to the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) model.
Alausa commended NECO for the smooth execution of the pilot, emphasising that schools lack the infrastructure required for digital examinations. He noted that the transition would expand CBT centre utilisation, spur job creation in the IT hardware and software sector, and encourage the development of homegrown tech solutions. “WAEC and NECO will move to CBT for both objective and essay components starting 2026,” he said, adding that the phased rollout begins with multiple-choice sections this year.
NECO’s Registrar, Prof. Ibrahim Wushishi, confirmed the examination body’s readiness for the digital shift. He disclosed that 1,367,210 candidates registered for the current SSCE, the highest so far, with Kano topping the list and Kebbi having the fewest. The smallest centre, located in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, registered just eight candidates. Wushishi urged states to expedite the development of CBT infrastructure to support the transition.
Meanwhile, the House Committee on Basic Education, led by Hon. Oboku Oforji, pledged full support for NECO and other examination bodies. During a visit to schools in Abuja, lawmakers monitored examination processes and verified student authentication. Oforji hailed NECO’s performance and stressed that sustained reforms across WAEC, JAMB, NABTEB, and NECO would improve national education standards.
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