CBT has drastically reduced exam malpractice -WAEC boss

The new Head of the Nigeria National Office of the West African Examinations Council (WAEC), Mr. Suleiman Kum, has said the introduction of computer-based testing (CBT) has drastically reduced examination malpractice and strengthened the credibility of the council’s examinations.

Kum, who spoke in Lagos while monitoring the English Language paper of the ongoing 2026 second-series West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) for private candidates, declared that CBT had come to stay, describing it as a major step towards improving examination integrity and efficiency.

The WAEC boss, who monitored the examination at the council’s Training and Testing Centre, Ogba, said the transition from conventional paper-based examinations to CBT had made the conduct of examinations more seamless while significantly reducing opportunities for cheating.

“CBT has come to stay. That is what I’ll say because we have discovered that with CBT, the conduct of examinations is seamless.

“Even examination malpractice is drastically reduced with CBT. You can see how it is now, and I will assure you that CBT is truly the way to go,” he said.

Kum, who assumed office in October and is supervising his first examination as Head of National Office, explained that the council’s adoption of technology was part of its sustained efforts to modernise examination administration and maintain public confidence in its certificates.

According to him, WAEC has undergone significant transformation in its more than 75 years of existence, moving from manual registration processes to online registration and, subsequently, computer-based examinations.

“We’ve had over 75 years in existence, and WAEC is still moving on. So many changes have come. When we joined, we were doing manual registrations, but now everything is online.”

He recalled that the council introduced online registration in 2000 and commenced the CBT WASSCE in 2024, noting that the innovations had continued to yield positive results.

“So, that is why I feel it is the best way to go. And I believe that WAEC will continue to improve to make sure that the conduct of examinations is better.

“We want to ensure that WAEC remains the benchmark of examination integrity and innovation in Nigeria. So, when we are talking about examination integrity, we want WAEC to be number one,” he added.

The WAEC boss disclosed that more than 56,000 private candidates registered for the ongoing 2026 second-series CBT WASSCE across the country, with Lagos accounting for over 22,000 candidates.

He said the Ogba examination centre, where he monitored the English Language paper, had the capacity to accommodate 500 candidates.

Kum further revealed that 272 candidates nationwide registered under the council’s walk-in arrangement after the close of the regular registration exercise.

Despite the reported decline in examination malpractice, he disclosed that supervisors at the Ogba centre uncovered suspected cheating materials during routine screening before the commencement of the English Language paper.

According to him, some candidates had concealed written materials in their shoes and socks, but the items were discovered during searches conducted by examination officials.

He said the discovery underscored the need for continued vigilance and strict supervision, even as the council deployed technology to strengthen the credibility of its examinations.