The West African Examinations Council (WAEC) has intensified its move toward full digitisation of its examinations, with plans underway to conduct the May/June 2026 West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) for school candidates entirely on computer-based platforms.

As part of its preparations, WAEC officials on Wednesday embarked on an extensive sensitisation campaign across Lagos State, engaging schools and communities in Yaba, Ojo, Ikeja, Ikorodu, Maryland, and Surulere to educate students, parents, and teachers about the coming shift.

Led by the Head of National Office, Dr Amos Dangut, the campaign featured roadshows, awareness drives, and interactive sessions highlighting the benefits and procedures of the new Computer-Based WASSCE (CB-WASSCE).

The transition to digital testing follows the hybrid model first introduced for private candidates in 2024, when WAEC allowed multiple-choice questions to be answered electronically while essays and practicals remained paper-based.

Dr Dangut explained that the 2026 rollout represents a critical step toward modernising Nigeria’s examination system in line with global educational standards.

“We are masters of the game. Every candidate who registers for CB-WASSCE 2026 will write their exam, whether onshore or offshore, whether in the United Kingdom or anywhere else. CB-WASSCE is the way to go; it is the future of examinations.”

He added that the computer-based format will help reduce malpractice, streamline logistics, and enhance transparency in the conduct of examinations.

Amid public anxiety about Nigeria’s readiness, particularly in rural areas with limited internet access, Dangut assured that no candidate will be left behind.

He stated that the council’s prior experience conducting five rounds of computer-based tests has shown clear improvements in credibility, efficiency, and candidate performance.

“In all five examinations conducted so far with CBT, malpractice cases dropped drastically while overall performance improved. There’s no cause for fear,” he said.

Dangut encouraged parents to help their children acquire basic computer literacy, which, he said, will soon become an essential skill for all candidates.

Also speaking on Thursday, WAEC’s Head of Public Affairs, Moyosola Adesina, revealed that private candidates sitting for the November 2025 WASSCE will be able to test-run the new system starting Friday, through a special access link on the WAEC portal.

“The link for private candidates will be released tomorrow (Friday) for testing, while that for school candidates will be out ahead of the May/June examination next year.

“With the link, they can access the testing portal on their systems, phones; those schools with computers will make their computers available to access the portal. The link will be sent out for them to test their hands on the portal.”

During the Yaba sensitisation rally, students and teachers welcomed the initiative.

A secondary school student, Chigozie Ojiofor, described it as “an eye-opener,” while teacher Mr. Olawale Mike said it would “prepare students for the realities of digital learning.”

Meanwhile, Dangut addressed concerns over the adjustment of trade subjects on WAEC’s registration portal, explaining that the changes were based on federal directives, not unilateral council decisions.

“Some have alleged that we removed certain subjects from the portal arbitrarily, but that’s not true. The Federal Government directed the streamlining of trade subjects, and WAEC, as a law-abiding international body, implemented that directive.

“Some subject names have changed, but the curriculum and syllabus remain the same. What matters is not the title but the content — the syllabus, the learning outcomes, and the skills being tested.”

WAEC’s transition to computer-based testing marks a major milestone in Nigeria’s educational reform, reflecting a global shift toward technology-driven assessment.

Officials say the 2026 CB-WASSCE will serve as a template for the future, ensuring greater efficiency, fairness, and digital readiness among the next generation of students.