CBT-WASSCE rollout success praised by FG as officials report smooth exams and consider phased nationwide shift to digital testing
The Federal Government, through the Minister of State for Education, Prof. Suwaiba Said Ahmad, has described the ongoing CBT-WASSCE Rollout Success as encouraging, following a monitoring exercise of examination centres in Abuja where officials reported smooth conduct and strong student performance in the computer-based testing system.
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Prof. Ahmad gave the assessment on Tuesday after visiting examination centres at Government Secondary School, Garki, and Federal Government Boys’ College, Garki, where candidates sat for both computer-based and paper-and-pencil examinations under the West African Senior School Certificate Examination framework.
She said the exercise had been largely seamless, noting that students demonstrated confidence in using the digital platform with no major technical disruptions recorded during the sessions observed.
“I’m happy with what I have seen. This is the first time we are conducting the CBT examination in government schools of this nature and the students are comfortable with it,” she said.
The minister said feedback from candidates indicated that they were adequately prepared for the digital format, adding that pilot testing played a critical role in ensuring operational stability across participating centres.
According to her, some centres had already successfully conducted multiple CBT sessions without interruption, a development she described as evidence of careful planning and system validation before deployment.
“One thing we are certain about is that adequate pilot testing was done. Feedback indicates that this is already the seventh paper being written through the CBT platform in some centres and there have been no technical glitches affecting candidates’ access to examination questions,” she stated.
Prof. Ahmad further explained that power supply challenges had been largely mitigated through alternative energy arrangements, including solar systems and generators deployed across examination centres.
“Power has not been a challenge because schools were advised to rely on alternative sources. Some use solar power while others operate generators and that has supported a seamless process,” she added.
Despite the positive assessment, the minister stressed that the Federal Government would adopt a gradual and cautious approach to full nationwide adoption of computer-based public examinations, citing significant infrastructure gaps.
She noted that while initial projections had suggested a possible full transition by 2026, realities in rural and underserved areas made immediate nationwide implementation impractical.
According to her, only schools with adequate ICT facilities and sufficient computer systems are currently suitable for the CBT model, with others yet to meet the required standards.
“The major criterion is the availability of functional ICT facilities. Schools must have enough computers to cater to their students. Where such facilities do not exist, we cannot yet implement CBT examinations,” she explained.
Prof. Ahmad reaffirmed the government’s commitment to digital transformation in education, describing it as a long-term reform aimed at improving efficiency, credibility and transparency in public examinations.
She said the Ministry of Education is actively engaging state governments and upgrading facilities in federal unity colleges as part of broader efforts to expand readiness for computer-based testing.
“We are engaging the state governments and strengthening facilities in our federal unity colleges. The goal is to reach a stage where all examinations can be conducted through CBT, but the necessary infrastructure must be available before we get there,” she said.
At the paper-and-pencil examination centre of the Federal Government Boys’ College, Garki, the minister commended the orderly conduct of students and invigilators, describing the environment as calm, structured and conducive for credible assessment.
“I observed a proper examination atmosphere. The students were well spaced, focused and there was no unnecessary interaction among them,” she said.
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The Federal Government says the ongoing CBT-WASSCE Rollout Success will continue to be evaluated as part of its broader strategy to modernise education delivery and transition Nigeria’s examination system into a fully digital framework in the coming years.
