CBT For WASSCE 2026: What You Should Know

Nigeria’s education sector is on the verge of a historic shift. The West African Examinations Council (WAEC) has announced plans to fully transition the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) from paper-and-pencil testing to Computer-Based Testing (CBT) by 2026.

This reform, long anticipated in the sector, aims to modernize assessment methods, boost exam credibility, and align Nigeria’s educational system with international best practices.

The initiative builds on earlier milestones, most notably the successful trial of CBT for private candidates in 2024 and the hybrid deployment for school candidates in 2025. With the Federal Government backing the reform and WAEC intensifying sensitisation, the countdown has begun toward a future where millions of secondary school students will take their exit exams entirely on computer systems.

WAEC Outlines Preparations for a Smooth Transition

The Head of WAEC’s National Office, Dr. Amos Dangut, has assured Nigerians that the Council is fully prepared for the 2026 nationwide rollout of CBT for WASSCE. Speaking at a sensitisation session with the National Assembly Committee on Education, Dangut stressed that the decision was not only about adopting technology but also about safeguarding the integrity of Nigeria’s certificates and aligning with global standards.

According to him, WAEC has already conducted five CBT exams—four for private candidates and one for school candidates—without major hitches. To ease the transition, he revealed that mock exams and online practice platforms will be introduced to help students familiarise themselves with the system before their main tests.

Dangut also dismissed concerns about infrastructure and connectivity, noting that WAEC had successfully conducted CBT exams even in remote areas. He promised that all registered candidates, regardless of location, would sit their exams without disadvantage. On cyber security fears, he reassured stakeholders that all CBT sessions so far had been smooth, with evidence suggesting candidates performed even better than in the traditional paper-based format.

Minister of Education: “This Reform Will Reposition Nigerian Education”

Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, has thrown the Federal Government’s weight behind WAEC’s digital transition, describing it as a decisive step toward repositioning Nigeria’s education sector.

He highlighted that the CBT migration is consistent with broader government reforms, including restructuring the curriculum, upgrading school facilities, and equipping classrooms with modern learning tools. According to Alausa, moving public examinations to computer-based platforms will enhance credibility, reduce malpractice, and prepare Nigerian students to compete globally.

“For more than seven decades, WAEC has remained a dependable institution, serving the African child with distinction,” the minister said. “With this transition, we are confident that examinations will become more merit-driven, secure, and reflective of 21st-century standards.”

What to Expect Going Forward

With the National Assembly pledging budgetary support and WAEC already expanding sensitisation campaigns across Nigeria, the stage is set for one of the most ambitious reforms in the country’s education history. 

While challenges remain, such as ensuring equal access to digital infrastructure in all 774 local government areas, stakeholders are optimistic that the 2026 full-scale rollout will not only modernize assessments but also strengthen confidence in Nigerian education globally.