By Ajibola Olaide, JKNewsMedia Reporter
THE WEST African Examinations Council (WAEC) has announced it is ushering in a new era of digital examination in Nigeria as it prepares to conduct its first Computer-Based West African Senior School Certificate Examination (CB-WASSCE) for school candidates.
Scheduled to run from 24 April to 20 June 2025, the Council says this year’s edition will reshape how secondary school exams are administered across the country.
At a press briefing held at the WAEC National Office in Yaba, Lagos, Dr Amos Josiah Dangut, Head of the Nigeria National Office, outlined the Council’s readiness for the landmark exercise.
He described the transition to digital testing as a pivotal step toward enhancing academic integrity and improving service delivery.
Over 1.97 million candidates from 23,554 schools have been registered for the 2025 exams—a record turnout reflecting the national scale of the initiative.
Female participation edged ahead for the year, with 994,025 girls making up 50.37% of the cohort, compared to 979,228 boys (49.63%), continuing a trend of gender parity in academic engagement.
Candidates will sit for 74 subjects, divided across 196 individual papers.
WAEC is deploying approximately 26,000 trained senior secondary school teachers to supervise the sessions.
Notably, the 2025 examination will introduce dynamic question variants—unique to each candidate—even within the same paper code. The system, according to Dr Dangut, is designed to leverage technology in deterring malpractice.
“We believe in the power of ICT to transform the educational space,” said Dr Dangut. “The shift to computer-based testing and adaptive question models represents a forward-thinking approach to modern test administration.”
The use of the National Identification Number (NIN) remains a mandatory part of the registration process. WAEC assures that while it complies with federal requirements, it has put measures in place to prevent the National Identification Number (NIN) requirement from becoming a barrier for any candidate.
On security, Dr Dangut acknowledged ongoing national challenges but expressed confidence in the Council’s collaboration with the Nigeria Police Force and various state governments to ensure the safety of candidates and officials throughout the examination period.
“We’ve faced security threats in previous years, but with consistent support from law enforcement and education ministries, we’ve managed to conduct successful examinations,” he said.
WAEC has also reaffirmed its zero-tolerance policy toward examination malpractice. Schools, candidates, and officials found guilty of infractions will face stiff sanctions, ranging from the derecognition of schools to withdrawal of results and disciplinary action against erring personnel.
The Council has issued warnings about rogue websites and fraudulent preparatory services that target students with false promises. Parents and candidates are advised to stay clear of such operations.
Dr Dangut confirmed that results will be released 45 days after the final paper, and certificates—both physical and digital—will be available within 90 days.
He urged schools to adhere strictly to registration deadlines, noting that delays have repeatedly affected the timely production and distribution of exam materials.
“We are not just conducting exams. We are shaping futures,” he said, appealing to media outlets, parents, school administrators, and government bodies to support the process and uphold the integrity of this critical academic milestone.
The Final International Timetable has been dispatched to schools, with WAEC reaffirming that all logistical and operational steps are in place to ensure a smooth and successful WASSCE season.
