The Federal Government has announced that the National Examinations Council will start moving its examinations to computer-based testing this year.
Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa, shared the update on Thursday during NECO’s 25th anniversary celebration in Abuja, where he described the change as part of a wider plan to protect public examinations from malpractice and improve the trust people place in national assessment.
NECO CBT to Start This Year
NECO will begin Computer-Based Examinations this year, according to the Minister of Education.
The move places NECO on a new path for exam delivery; candidates who plan to sit for future NECO papers should start getting used to computer-based practice.
Why the Federal Government Is Moving NECO to CBT
The Federal Government said the move will help tackle examination malpractice.
Alausa said computer-based examinations would allow officials to monitor candidates in real time, spot suspicious conduct faster and reduce fraud during examinations across the country.
NECO’s 25th Anniversary and Exam Reforms
The announcement came during NECO’s 25th anniversary celebration in Abuja.
The minister said NECO had grown over the past 25 years, with better examination security, improved scoring reliability and wider access for students in underserved communities.
He also said Nigeria’s education system must move beyond rote learning and give more attention to critical thinking, digital literacy and problem-solving skills needed in the global economy.
NECO Now Conducts Exams in Eight Countries
NECO Registrar and Chief Executive, Dantani Wushishi, said the council now conducts examinations in eight countries.
He said this shows growing international acceptance of NECO certificates.
Wushishi also listed some reforms already introduced by the council, including digital verification systems, e-certificates, e-library services and data analytics platforms.
NECO has also expanded its structure with new offices and zonal directorates across the country.
What Candidates Should Note
NECO candidates should prepare for a shift in examination format as the council begins the move to computer-based examinations.
The Federal Government linked the change to exam security, real-time monitoring and stronger control against malpractice.