The West African Examinations Council (WAEC) has announced that the full adoption of computer-based testing (CBT) for the Senior School Certificate Examinations (SSCE) will now take effect in 2027, instead of 2026 as previously directed by the Federal Government.
The May/June 2026 WASSCE will serve as a pilot phase, allowing students to choose between computer-based or traditional paper-and-pen formats.
Hajia Binta Abdulkadir, Chairman of WAEC’s Nigeria National Committee (NNC) and the Federal Government’s nominee, disclosed this during the opening of the 63rd annual NNC meeting in Umuahia, Abia State. She assured stakeholders that no candidate would be disadvantaged during the transition to CBT.
WAEC has already begun preparing students for the new format by training them to use tablets and digital tools for answering essay questions. Abdulkadir also clarified that students would not be restricted in their subject choices under the revised Basic and Secondary School Curricula. Science students, for instance, can still select subjects like Economics to complete their required combinations, and the deadline for uploading Continuous Assessment Scores (CASS) has been extended for those taking new subjects.
At the event, WAEC celebrated top performers from the 2024 May/June school-based exams. Ajisafe Qoreebullah Olamilekan of Eemaan Foundation College, Osogbo, Osun State, emerged as the overall best candidate nationwide, scoring 580.8535 points with A1s in eight subjects, including English and Mathematics. He is now studying Medicine and Surgery at the Federal University of Health Sciences, Ila Orangun.
The second and third overall best students, Joan Eberechukwu Onovo and Chibukem Mac-Donald Mbah, were also honoured. All three top performers attended private schools and are pursuing medical degrees at different universities: Joan at the University of Lagos and Chibukem at Afe Babalola University, Ado Ekiti.
WAEC also recognised the best visually impaired students, 23-year-old Ugwu Christian Chiemerie and Abiodun Taye Olubunmi. Christian, a Law student at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, scored 413.5326, while Taye, studying Guidance and Counselling at the University of Ilorin, scored 429.1543.
Abia State Governor Alex Otti, represented by the state’s Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, Elder Goodluck Chinedu Ubochi, praised WAEC for maintaining credible examinations and taking steps to curb malpractice. He described the measures as “timely, courageous and essential to safeguard the future of our young ones.”
Dr Amos Dangut, Head of WAEC Nigeria, said the awards encourage excellence and healthy competition among students and schools nationwide, while Hajia Abdulkadir commended the awardees and assured continued government support to make Nigerian students globally competitive.