WAEC to Fully Transition WASSCE to Computer-Based Testing by 2026

By Diafa Doubra,

The West African Examinations Council (WAEC) has announced that starting from 2026, the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) will be conducted entirely through Computer-Based Testing (CBT), marking a historic shift in the region’s education assessment system.

The Head of WAEC’s National Office in Nigeria, Dr. Amos Dangut, confirmed the development, noting that the transition is in line with global best practices and aimed at improving the integrity, efficiency, and credibility of the examination process. He explained that while WAEC had already experimented with partial CBT deployment in recent years, the Council is now ready to fully embrace the digital model across all subjects.

According to Dr. Dangut, the adoption of CBT will help curb malpractice, ensure faster result processing, and prepare students for technology-driven learning and assessment methods. He stressed, however, that WAEC is mindful of challenges such as limited access to ICT infrastructure in rural schools, and has therefore begun working with governments, schools, and private partners to expand digital facilities ahead of the 2026 rollout.

Stakeholders in the education sector have welcomed the move, describing it as a step toward modernizing Nigeria’s examination system. Some teachers and parents, however, have expressed concerns over the readiness of rural areas and the need for proper training of both students and teachers to avoid widening the digital divide.

WAEC assured that pilot projects and training programmes will continue in the coming months to ensure a smooth and inclusive transition, promising that no candidate will be left disadvantaged by the shift.