Federal Government Confirms NECO CBT Transition to Begin This Year; The Federal Government has announced that the National Examinations Council (NECO) will begin transitioning its examinations to computer-based testing (CBT) starting this year.
The Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa, made the announcement on Thursday during NECO’s 25th anniversary celebration in Abuja. He explained that the reform is part of a broader effort to strengthen public examination integrity and reduce malpractice.
NECO CBT to Begin This Year
According to the Minister of Education, NECO will officially commence computer-based examinations within the year.
The shift marks a significant change in how national examinations are conducted in Nigeria, and candidates are encouraged to begin familiarising themselves with CBT practice systems ahead of the transition.
Why the Federal Government Is Introducing NECO CBT
The Federal Government stated that the move to CBT is aimed at addressing long-standing issues of examination malpractice.
Tunji Alausa explained that the computer-based system will:
- Improve real-time monitoring of candidates
- Help exam officials detect suspicious activities faster
- Strengthen security during national examinations
- Reduce opportunities for examination fraud
NECO’s 25th Anniversary and Education Reforms
The announcement was made during the celebration of NECO’s 25th anniversary in Abuja.
The Minister noted that the examination body has made significant progress over the years, especially in:
- Examination security improvements
- More reliable marking and scoring systems
- Expanded access to examinations in underserved communities
He also emphasised the need for Nigeria’s education system to move beyond memorisation and focus more on:
- Critical thinking
- Digital literacy
- Problem-solving skills required in the modern global economy
NECO Now Conducts Exams in Eight Countries
The Registrar and Chief Executive of NECO, Dantani Wushishi, disclosed that the council now conducts examinations in eight countries outside Nigeria.
He described this development as evidence of the growing international recognition of NECO certificates.
Wushishi also highlighted several reforms already introduced by the council, including:
- Digital certificate verification systems
- E-certificate issuance
- E-library services
- Data analytics platforms for examination management
He further noted that NECO has expanded its administrative structure with additional offices and zonal directorates across the country.
What Candidates Should Note
With the introduction of computer-based testing, candidates preparing for NECO examinations are expected to adapt to a new examination format.
The Federal Government linked the reform to improved exam security, better monitoring systems and stronger control against malpractice in the education sector.
Students are advised to begin practising CBT-based tests early in preparation for the transition.
