The West African Examinations Council (WAEC) has postponed the full adoption of computer-based testing (CBT) for the Senior School Certificate Examinations (SSCE) to 2027, instead of 2026 as earlier directed by the federal government. The 2026 May/June WASSCE will now serve as a pilot phase, allowing students to choose between the traditional paper-and-pen format and CBT. Hajia Binta Abdulkadir, Chairman of WAEC’s Nigeria National Committee (NNC) and Federal Government nominee, revealed the update during the opening session of the committee’s 63rd annual meeting in Umuahia, Abia State. She assured stakeholders that no candidate would be disadvantaged during the transition, emphasizing WAEC’s commitment to a smooth migration to CBT. Abdulkadir highlighted several initiatives to prepare students for the digital exams, including training senior school students on tablet use and answering essay questions digitally. She also addressed concerns about subject selection under the revised Basic and Secondary School Curricula, clarifying that students are free to choose subjects across different streams. Science students, for example, can still take Economics as an elective, and the period for uploading Continuous Assessment Scores (CASS) has been extended to ensure accurate recording. The event also celebrated outstanding performers in the 2024 May/June school-based exams. Master Ajisafe Qoreebullah Olamilekan of Eemaan Foundation College, Osogbo, Osun State, emerged as the overall best candidate nationwide, scoring 580.8535 points with A1 grades in eight subjects. He is now studying Medicine and Surgery at the Federal University of Health Sciences, Ila Orangun. The second- and third-best students, Joan Eberechukwu Onovo and Chibukem Mac-Donald Mbah, were similarly honoured. Like Ajisafe, both are pursuing degrees in Medicine and Surgery at the University of Lagos and Afe Babalola University, respectively. All three top performers attended private schools. WAEC also recognised exceptional visually impaired candidates, awarding Master Ugwu Christian Chiemerie and Miss Abiodun Taye Olubunmi for their achievements. Christian, from the College of Immaculate Conception, Enugu, scored 413.5326 points and is now studying Law at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka. Taye, from Queen’s College, Lagos, scored 429.1543 points and is currently studying Guidance and Counselling at the University of Ilorin. Abia State Governor Alex Otti, represented by the Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, Elder Goodluck Chinedu Ubochi, praised WAEC for its role in promoting credible examinations and safeguarding assessment integrity. He described the council’s efforts to curb malpractice as “timely, courageous, and essential to protect the future of our young ones.” Dr Amos Dangut, Head of WAEC Nigeria, noted that the awards encourage healthy competition and academic excellence nationwide, congratulating students, their schools, and parents. Hajia Abdulkadir also commended all awardees and reaffirmed the federal government’s support for WAEC, assuring that Nigerian students would continue to be globally competitive.
