FG Assures Rural Communities’ Inclusion In WAEC, NECO CBT Rollout.
The Federal Government of Nigeria has reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring that rural communities are not left behind in the transition to Computer-Based Testing (CBT) for the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) and National Examinations Council (NECO) examinations. The pledge came from the Minister of State for Education, Suwaiba Ahmad, during a monitoring exercise of the ongoing West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) in selected schools across Abuja on Tuesday, 3 June 2025.
Speaking to the press, Ahmad emphasised that the full shift to CBT, slated for completion by May or June 2026, will encompass students in both urban and rural areas. “No student, whether in a rural or urban setting, will be excluded from the CBT rollout,” she declared. “We are committed to making sure that every child has an equal opportunity to take their exams, regardless of their location or access to infrastructure.”
The minister acknowledged the logistical hurdles, such as unreliable electricity and poor internet access, that many rural communities face. However, she assured Nigerians that the government is actively collaborating with WAEC, NECO, the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), and other stakeholders to address these challenges. “We will not use school-based centres for CBT, especially in rural areas without electricity,” Ahmad stated, noting that a school inspected during the exercise lacked power in its exam hall, highlighting the issue.
To bridge the gap, the Federal Ministry of Education plans to leverage JAMB’s existing CBT centres for future exams and work with state governments to devise tailored solutions for rural and urban challenges. Ahmad highlighted the potential of CBT to curb examination malpractice, explaining, “With individualised sets of questions, the chances of impersonation, question leaks, and systemic cheating will be greatly reduced.”
The transition will begin with objective papers administered via CBT from November 2025, with full adoption of both objective and essay components by mid-2026. The minister appealed for patience, saying, “Nigerians should bear with us as we work to ensure fairness and inclusivity in this process.”
This move aligns with the government’s broader push to modernise Nigeria’s education system, drawing inspiration from JAMB’s successful CBT model, which has served over 2.2 million candidates. As the rollout progresses, the FG remains focused on delivering a fair and effective examination process for all students, regardless of their location.
