The Federal Government says the Computer-Based West African Senior School Certificate Examination (CBT-WASSCE) ran smoothly in monitored centres, and officials are considering a phased national transition to digital exams.
Minister of State for Education, Prof. Suwaiba Said Ahmad, gave the assessment after visiting CBT and paper-and-pencil centres at Government Secondary School, Garki, and Federal Government Boys’ College, Garki, Abuja.
She said the exercise progressed smoothly in the centres she visited, with students confident using the computer-based platform and no major technical glitches reported.
“I’m happy with what I have seen. This is the first time we are conducting the CBT examination in government schools of this nature and the students are comfortable with it,” Prof. Ahmad said.
According to the minister, interactions with candidates showed students were adequately prepared for the digital format and experienced little difficulty navigating the examination system.
She added that some CBT centres had already run multiple sessions successfully, crediting extensive pilot testing and software validation before deployment.
“One thing we are certain about is that adequate pilot testing was done. Feedback indicates that this is already the seventh paper being written through the CBT platform in some centres and there have been no technical glitches affecting candidates’ access to examination questions,” she stated.
Prof. Ahmad also said uninterrupted power supply was sustained through alternative arrangements, including solar systems and generators, reducing reliance on the national grid.
“Power has not been a challenge because schools were advised to rely on alternative sources. Some use solar power while others operate generators and that has supported a seamless process,” she said.
Why The Government Will Phase The Rollout
Despite positive reports, the minister said the federal government will adopt a cautious, phased approach before a nationwide rollout.
She explained that although authorities initially targeted full migration to CBT by 2026, infrastructure gaps in rural and underserved communities make immediate nationwide implementation unrealistic.
“The major criterion is the availability of functional ICT facilities. Schools must have enough computers to cater to their students. Where such facilities do not exist, we cannot yet implement CBT examinations,” Prof. Ahmad explained.
She said schools chosen for CBT are mainly those with functional ICT infrastructure and sufficient computer systems to run multiple sessions.
The minister reaffirmed the government’s commitment to digitising public examinations but said a definitive nationwide timeline depends on infrastructure upgrades.
“We are engaging the state governments and strengthening facilities in our federal unity colleges. The goal is to reach a stage where all examinations can be conducted through CBT, but the necessary infrastructure must be available before we get there,” she said.
On Paper Exams And Monitoring
At the paper-and-pencil centre in Federal Government Boys’ College, Garki, Prof. Ahmad commended orderly conduct by candidates and invigilators.
“I observed a proper examination atmosphere. The students were well spaced, focused and there was no unnecessary interaction among them. That is what we expect in a credible examination setting,” she said.
The monitoring visit is part of federal efforts to assess school preparedness and evaluate the effectiveness of the expanded CBT framework nationwide.
As the government tests and expands CBT, authorities will continue pilot programmes, infrastructure upgrades, and engagement with state education ministries before confirming any full-scale migration.
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