The Federal Government has set a target to transition all national examinations to a fully computer-based testing (CBT) system by 2027. This was announced by Dr. Tunji Alausa, Minister of Education, during the inauguration of the Committee on Improvement of Quality Examinations in Nigeria, held in Abuja on Thursday.
Dr. Alausa emphasized that the initiative aims to address key challenges in the education sector, standardize examination practices, and curb widespread examination malpractices. He highlighted the need for a holistic approach, noting that parents, teachers, school principals, and exam supervisors also contribute to malpractices.
“By 2027, all our exams will be computer-based. We are working hard to make this a reality, leveraging technology to tackle issues like examination leakages, identity theft, and candidate swapping during exams,” Alausa stated.
Key measures announced include the introduction of three new identifiers on examination certificates: candidates’ national identification numbers (NIN), photographs, and birthdates. These steps are expected to improve the authenticity of results and ensure proper identification of candidates.
Additionally, Alausa revealed that all examination bodies, including WAEC, NECO, and NABTEB, have been instructed to implement these identifiers in their next examination cycles, scheduled for May, June, and July.
The minister praised the Tinubu administration’s commitment to education through substantial funding, with a focus on human capital development.
Prof. Is-haq Oloyede, Chairman of the newly inaugurated committee and Registrar of JAMB, expressed gratitude to the Federal Government for entrusting the task to his team, pledging to execute the mandate diligently.
The committee’s goals include:
- Eliminating examination leakages.
- Combating identity theft in examinations.
- Enhancing supervision to ensure fairness and quality.
Dr. Alausa warned that examination malpractice poses a threat to diligent students and the education system, calling for collective action to uphold integrity in assessments.
