WAEC Delays Full CBT Exams to 2027 After Federal Government Directive

The West African Examinations Council has announced a new timeline for the transition of the Senior School Certificate Examination to a fully computer-based mode. The full rollout of the CBT format will now begin in 2027 instead of the earlier 2026 target set by the Federal Government.

According to the council, the 2026 May/June WASSCE will continue as a pilot phase in which students can choose either the computer-based format or the traditional paper-and-pen mode.

The Chairman of the Nigeria National Committee of WAEC, Hajia Binta Abdulkadir, made this known at the opening session of the 63rd Annual Meeting of the committee in Umuahia, Abia State. The NNC is WAEC’s highest decision-making body in Nigeria and consists of key education stakeholders from across the country.

Abdulkadir, who also serves as Director of Basic Education in the Federal Ministry of Education, noted that concerns had been raised about the directive for examination bodies to fully adopt CBT by 2026. She assured students and parents that no candidate sitting for the 2026 WASSCE would be disadvantaged in any way.

She stated that WAEC had already begun implementing measures to support the transition, including training senior secondary students to use tablets for essay responses and familiarizing them with digital exam formats.

Speaking on recent curriculum revisions, she clarified that candidates would not be restricted from taking subjects outside their primary field of study. She added that the window for uploading Continuous Assessment Scores had been extended to accommodate students registering for new subjects under the updated federal curriculum.

At the event, WAEC also celebrated outstanding performance in the 2024 May/June examination. The overall best candidate nationwide, Master Ajisafe Qoreebullah Olamilekan of Eemaan Foundation College, Osogbo, received the National Distinction Award for earning A1 in eight subjects and achieving a total score of 580.8535. He is currently studying Medicine and Surgery at the Federal University of Health Sciences, Ila Orangun.

The second-best candidate, Onovo Joan Eberechukwu, and the third-best, Mbah Chibukem Mac-Donald, were also honoured. All three top candidates are students from private schools and are currently studying Medicine and Surgery at their respective universities.

WAEC further recognised the best male and female special-needs candidates. They include 23-year-old Ugwu Christian Chiemerie, who is studying Law at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, and Miss Abiodun Taye Olubunmi, currently studying Guidance and Counselling at the University of Ilorin.

Abia State Governor, Alex Otti, represented by the Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, commended WAEC for strengthening the credibility of its examinations through policies aimed at curbing malpractice and securing the integrity of assessment processes nationwide. He pledged continued support for the council’s operations.

The Head of National Office of WAEC Nigeria, Dr Amos Dangut, said the award categories were introduced to promote academic excellence and healthy competition among students. He encouraged the recipients to continue striving for excellence as they progress academically.

Abdulkadir reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to supporting WAEC and ensuring Nigerian students remain competitive both locally and globally.