Oluwafunbi Bello 
ABUJA, Nigeria – The Federal Government says the National Examinations Council will begin computer-based examinations in 2026, marking a major shift aimed at tackling examination malpractice and modernising Nigeria’s education assessment system.
Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa, announced the reform on Thursday during NECO’s 25th anniversary celebration in Abuja, describing the move as a “critical reform” to improve transparency, credibility and efficiency in public examinations.
“We are at the threshold of a very important reform, which NECO is spearheading, and that is the Computer-Based Examination,” Alausa says.
According to the minister, the digital examination model will allow real-time monitoring of candidates, improve scoring accuracy and help authorities detect suspicious activities more effectively. He says the reform aligns Nigeria’s education sector with global technological standards while strengthening public trust in examination processes.
Alausa adds that the government wants schools to shift away from rote memorisation towards critical thinking, digital literacy and problem-solving skills.
Registrar and Chief Executive of NECO, Dantani Wushishi, says the council has expanded its operations into eight countries while introducing reforms including e-certificates, digital verification systems and data analytics platforms.
“Today, NECO stands as a benchmark for credible examinations in the region and among international peers,” Wushishi says.
He reveals that NECO is also constructing offices in 10 states and expanding zonal directorates to improve service delivery nationwide.
The reform comes amid growing concerns over examination malpractice across Nigeria’s public education sector. Education analysts say the transition to computer-based testing could strengthen examination security and reduce human interference in assessment processes.
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Korede Abdullah 
