NECO to Begin Computer-Based Exams

The Nigerian Government has announced that the National Examinations Council (NECO) will begin conducting computer-based examinations (CBT) this year, to tackle examination malpractice.

The Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa, revealed this on Thursday during NECO’s 25th-anniversary celebration in Abuja.

Alausa said that the transition to technology-driven examinations marked a significant step in strengthening the credibility of public examinations in the country and enhancing Nigeria’s competitiveness in global education standards.

“We are at the threshold of a very important reform, which NECO is spearheading, and that is the Computer-Based Examination, which is to commence this year,” the minister said.

He stated that the new examination model would enable authorities to monitor candidates in real time, detect suspicious activity, and reduce examination fraud.

NECO to Begin Computer-Based Exams (NewsCentral TV) — Minister of Education, Maruf Tunji Alausa. Credit: Arise TV

The minister described NECO as a major institution in protecting integrity and accountability in the education sector, stating that the council had evolved into a reliable examination body over the past 25 years.

According to him, NECO’s growth highlights the country’s determination to establish a credible national examination system that provides equal opportunities for students nationwide.

Alausa also said that the examination body had improved examination security, upgraded scoring reliability, and expanded access to examinations in deprived communities while embracing technological innovations that restored public confidence in its certificates.

He said that the Ministry of Education would continue to provide the necessary supervision to ensure NECO’s examinations aligned with national educational goals and curriculum standards. The minister explained the need for educational assessments to move beyond cramming and focus on modern skills such as critical thinking, digital literacy, and problem-solving.

“As we celebrate this Silver Jubilee, may NECO and the Ministry of Education continue to work in unison, fostering trust, driving reform, and ensuring that certification remains a passport to brighter futures for all students,” he said.

NECO’s Registrar, Prof. Dantani Wushishi, went further to say that the exam body has moved beyond Nigeria and now holds tests in eight countries.

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