The Registrar and Chief Executive of the National Examinations Council (NECO), Prof. Dantani Ibrahim Wushishi, has announced that NECO is prepared to conduct the November/December Senior Secondary Certificate Examination (SSCE) for private candidates using the Computer-Based Test (CBT) format.

Speaking during the Education Writers’ Association of Nigeria (EWAN) dialogue series, held virtually with the theme “CBT for SSCE: Is Nigeria Ready?”, Wushishi emphasized the importance of raising awareness among stakeholders about the transition to CBT. He noted that NECO has already begun town hall meetings across various states to engage and educate stakeholders on the upcoming changes.

According to the Registrar, Nigeria currently has over 2,000 CBT centres nationwide. This figure excludes additional CBT facilities at National Open University centres located in every state and several local government areas. He added that NECO is working on mapping schools to the closest CBT centres to make access easier for candidates.

Also speaking at the event, the Director of Senior Secondary Education, Hajia Binta Abdulkadir, expressed confidence in the country’s ability to successfully conduct CBT-based exams. She noted that examination bodies such as WAEC have the necessary capacity for the transition. Abdulkadir revealed that a committee led by JAMB Registrar, Prof. Is-haq Oloyede—called the Improvement of Public Examinations in Nigeria—is already working on strategies for implementing CBT and will submit its report soon.

She further stressed the need for strict measures against examination malpractice, advocating for the reactivation of punitive laws to deter culprits.

Participants at the meeting expressed mixed reactions.

Dr. Adunola Osoba suggested that the adoption of CBT be done in phases, adding that mass sensitization is necessary, especially for the candidates.

Another participant, AbdulRasheed Rabana, argued that Nigeria’s examination style must be considered before switching to CBT. According to him, CBT is only suitable for multiple-choice questions, while practicals, oral tests, and essay-based exams are not yet adaptable to the computer-based format.