CB exams: Education minister tasks governors to invest in computers

Insists computer-based exam has come to stay

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By Gabriel Dike

The Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, on Saturday called on governors to invest in computers to ensure their students write the CB-WASSCE and other examinations.

Alausa gave the advice in Lagos when he monitored the 2025 CB-WASSCE Second Series at the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) Test and Training Centre, Ogba.

The education minister insisted that the computer-based examination has come to stay and will start with the May/June 2025 WASSCE.

He disclosed that the ministry is collaborating with the National Assembly and stakeholders to ensure the smooth take-off and conduct of the CB exams.

The minister said those against the introduction and conduct of CB examination in the country are in the minority, adding, “majority of Nigerians are in support of the computer-based examination.”

Alausa revealed that those opposed to the computer-based examination are making illegal money through examination malpractice.

According to him, the conduct of WASSCE, National Examinations Council (NECO) and the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) examinations will help to reduce exam malpractice.

He said in the 2025 private candidates WASSCE, it recorded a decline in examination malpractice and that the introduction of computer-based exams will put exam fraudsters out of business.

The minister stated that students in rural areas will not have issues sitting for the computer-based examinations because of electricity problems.

Alausa explained that the tablets candidates used for the private candidates 2025 CB-WASSCE use solar power and have in-built programmes such as AI that can aid the students during the exam.

He also stated that the tablets are cheaper and that schools can invest and acquire about 100 pieces for the use of their students.

Alausa confirmed that there are many firms assembling tablets in the country and with 1.2 million candidates, it is big business.

The education minister noted that JAMB has been conducting computer-based examinations for over 10 years.

Alausa made a passionate appeal to state governors to equip their schools with 100 computers to enable their students to write computer-based examinations.

WAEC Head of National Office (HNO), Dr Amos Dangut, said the council is ready to conduct CB-WASSCE and that the minister has seen the readiness of WAEC.

Dangut said in the private candidates 2025 WASSCE second series, candidates used the new tablets and also paper exam. He said the candidates were pleased with the CB-WASSCE.