The West African Examinations Council (WAEC) has officially confirmed that the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) will transition to a fully computer-based format by 2026, reinforcing its commitment to modernized, secure, and inclusive examinations for all senior secondary school students across Nigeria. This landmark move aligns Nigeria with global examination standards and promises to transform the country’s approach to educational assessments.
WAEC’s Commitment to Digital Transformation
In a recent statement, Hajiya Binta Abdulkadir, Chairperson of WAEC’s Nigeria National Committee, assured stakeholders that the transition to a fully digital WASSCE will be inclusive. “No student will be left behind,” she emphasized, noting that every candidate, regardless of location or socioeconomic background, will have the opportunity to participate in the computer-based examination system.
The CB-WASSCE is part of WAEC’s long-term plan to modernize the examination process, enhance transparency, and equip students with digital competencies that are critical for higher education and employment in the 21st century.
Preparing Students for the Computer-Based Exam
WAEC has instituted comprehensive training programs to familiarize students with tablets, styluses, and digital exam interfaces. The council stressed the importance of hands-on experience, ensuring students can navigate the system efficiently, type essays, and submit answers without technical difficulties. Schools have been advised to upgrade their ICT infrastructure, including laptops, internet access, and power backups, to support this transition.
Importantly, students will continue to enjoy the flexibility to choose their subjects freely, ensuring that academic options remain broad. Science students will still be able to take subjects such as Economics, while arts students will have access to science electives, maintaining the diversity and comprehensiveness of the WASSCE.
Continuous Assessment and Academic Standards
WAEC is also strengthening the Continuous Assessment Scores (CASS) component of student evaluation. Schools are encouraged to conduct at least three assessments per student, ensuring a fair representation of academic performance. The council has extended deadlines for the submission of CASS, emphasizing its role in providing a more comprehensive evaluation of student capabilities.
To safeguard the integrity of examinations, WAEC has enhanced security measures, including paper serialization and collaboration with law enforcement agencies. The council reported that serialization significantly reduced malpractice in the 2025 WASSCE, and similar mechanisms will be applied in the computer-based format to uphold credibility.
Addressing Challenges in Infrastructure and Access
While the 2026 CB-WASSCE deadline is ambitious, WAEC acknowledges potential challenges, particularly in schools with limited ICT infrastructure. Many institutions in rural areas may lack sufficient computers, stable internet, or reliable power sources. In response, WAEC is partnering with educational authorities and technology providers to equip examination centers and create dedicated computer-based testing facilities in underserved areas.
The council has reiterated that ensuring equitable access is a priority, aiming to prevent any student from being disadvantaged due to infrastructural gaps.
Implications for Nigerian Education
The shift to fully computer-based WASSCE is expected to have far-reaching effects on the educational landscape. Students will gain essential digital literacy skills, making them more competitive in higher education and the global workforce. The adoption of technology in assessments also aligns Nigeria with international examination practices, enhancing the global recognition of WASSCE credentials.
Additionally, schools that invest in ICT infrastructure to accommodate CB-WASSCE will likely experience broader improvements in teaching, learning, and administrative efficiency, fostering a long-term culture of technological integration in education.
