Schools and Ministers have strategies to uncover student and academic institution manipulations, with Computer-Based Testing (CBT) aimed at putting an end to such deceptions.

A New Era for Exams: The Transition to Computer-Based Testing in Nigeria

Embracing the Future

Schools and Ministers have strategies to uncover student and academic institution manipulations, with Computer-Based Testing (CBT) aimed at putting an end to such deceptions.

Nigeria is gearing up to revolutionize its exam system, introducing Computer-Based Testing (CBT) for both the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) and National Examination Council (NECO) exams, with the ultimate goal of replacing traditional paper-based exams by 2027 [1][3][4].

The Road Ahead

1. Infrastructure and Access: With many schools, especially those in rural areas, lacking essential technology such as computers and internet connectivity, it presents a significant challenge for the transition [1][2].
2. Bridging the Equity Gap: There are worries about ensuring fairness and equal opportunities for students, especially those from low-income areas or remote locations, as they may not have access to the required digital resources [2].
3. Avoiding Technical Hitches: Potential technical issues such as system crashes and network disruptions during the exams could pose problems [2].

The Government's Plan

1. Experimental Phase: The government has planned to begin conducting multiple-choice exams using CBT starting from November 2025, prior to a full implementation across all exams by May/June 2026[1].
2. Student Feedback: Students have expressed a preference for CBT over traditional methods, citing the advantages of efficiency and timely procedures [2].
3. Stakeholder Cooperation: Collaboration with various stakeholders, including private education institutions and industry partners, is crucial for addressing technical and logistical challenges [3].

Achieving Success

1. Infrastructure Assistance: The government aims to enhance current infrastructure in schools to support CBT, by providing hardware, internet access, and other necessary resources.
2. Inclusive Rollout: Efforts are being made to ensure equal opportunities for all students, through careful planning and execution to avoid any disadvantages in access or resources [2].
3. Partnerships: Collaboration with various stakeholders is essential in overcoming hurdles related to infrastructure, training, and technical support [3].

As the nation moves forward with this transformation, focus is on unity, cooperation, and finding workable solutions that give every student an equal shot at success.

1. The Nigerian government aims to address the infrastructure challenge by improving school resources, such as providing computers and internet access, to enable the smooth transition to Computer-Based Testing (CBT) for WASSCE and NECO exams.
2. Achieving equity in Digital Learning Resources is a pressing concern, with the goal to ensure that every student has access to the necessary tools for CBT, regardless of their location or economic background.
3. Efforts are underway to avoid technical issues in the transition to CBT by implementing a trial run of multiple-choice exams using CBT starting from November 2025, before a full implementation across all exams by May/June 2026.
4. Students have shown support for CBT, appreciating the advantages of efficiency and timely procedures over traditional methods, encouraging the government's push towards reforming Nigeria's examination system.
5. Collaboration with various stakeholders in policy-and-legislation, politics, general-news, the technology sector, and private education institutions is vital, as partnerships are essential to overcoming hurdles related to infrastructure, training, and technical support required for the successful implementation of the CBT system in the Naija education landscape.

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