Why WAEC’s Move to CBT Could End Exam Malpractice Epidemic

Nigeria’s education system is set for a major shake-up as the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) begins its transition from paper-based testing to Computer-Based Testing (CBT) for the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE).

Education experts, policymakers, and school administrators are hailing the move as a critical step toward restoring public confidence in the integrity of Nigeria’s most important secondary school exam.

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Announcing the policy shift on Tuesday, Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa, described the transition as a “historic milestone” in the country’s education sector.

“This reform will strengthen the integrity of our examinations, drastically reduce malpractice, and ensure Nigeria’s assessment system meets global standards,” Alausa said in a statement.

The minister linked the initiative to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which prioritises reforms across the education system: from restructuring the curriculum and upgrading classrooms to revamping technical colleges and tertiary institutions.

“The adoption of computer-based examinations is a deliberate step to safeguard the credibility of our certificates and empower the Nigerian child with the skills needed for a knowledge-driven economy,” Alausa added, pledging that the Federal Ministry of Education will work closely with schools to ensure a smooth and successful transition.

WAEC’s move comes after years of battling examination leakages, which have undermined the credibility of its certificates.

In one high-profile incident earlier this year, students across Nigeria were forced to sit for the English Language paper late into the night after WAEC withdrew a leaked set of questions just hours before the exam. Such incidents have become a recurring problem, as paper-based exams are vulnerable to security breaches during printing, transportation, and distribution.

Some of the affected WASCCE candidates sitting for the late-night exam. WAEC apologised for the hours-long delay

Experts say CBT will make such leaks nearly impossible. Because computer-based systems can generate multiple versions of the same test with questions appearing in random order, it becomes much harder for candidates to gain unfair advantage by accessing questions beforehand. The new format will also make it difficult for so-called “miracle centres” — illegal exam venues where candidates are assisted to cheat — to thrive.

Some education stakeholders have long advocated this reform. In June, EduCare CEO Alex Onyia publicly urged WAEC to adopt CBT for the bulk of its questions. “I proposed to WAEC to convert their objective questions to CBT which should be 80% of the entire marks, while theory and practicals can take up the remaining 20% but still written on paper,” Onyia said. “While students may be able to commit malpractices in theory and practical exams, it will be very difficult for them to commit the same fraud in CBT objective questions.” He also called on WAEC to implement the system by 2026, saying “no matter what it takes,” the change should not be delayed.

Wait oooo. So parents are the major promoters of WAEC fraud in private schools.

No matter what it takes, WAEC should implement CBT in 2026.

If care is not taken, foreign universities will stop accepting WAEC results from Nigeria.

WAEC should adopt critical thinking in exams!

— Alex Onyia (@winexviv) June 10, 2025

However, experts caution that the transition will not be without challenges. For example, Onyia said he doesn’t think Nigeria is ready for WASSCE CBT in an x post on Tuesday. He wrote: “I like the idea because it will curb malpractice but i don’t think we are ready!”

In 2026, WAEC will be transitioning to 100% Computer Based Testing.

The questions will be tougher.

I like the idea because it will curb malpractice but i don't think we are ready!

— Alex Onyia (@winexviv) September 2, 2025

Unlike the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME), which is already fully computer-based, WASSCE involves a far larger number of candidates, including those in rural and underserved communities with limited infrastructure. For CBT to work nationwide, authorities will need to ensure reliable electricity, sufficient computer systems, and internet access across all 774 local government areas.

Despite the challenges, analysts agree that the benefits far outweigh the costs. A secure, transparent examination process will restore trust in WAEC certificates and give students a fairer chance to prove their competence.

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