In a significant move to modernize Nigeria’s education sector, the Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, has announced plans to fully digitize all national examinations by 2027. This ambitious goal was shared during the 2025 Quarterly Citizens and Stakeholders Engagement on the Nigeria Education Sector Renewal Initiative, held in Abuja. The initiative aims to leverage technology to enhance the integrity and credibility of the examination process.
As part of this effort, the National Examinations Council (NECO) and the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) will begin conducting computer-based tests (CBT) starting from November 2025. This shift towards digital exams is intended to tackle the perennial issue of examination fraud, which has plagued the system for years. By introducing CBT, the government hopes to minimize the opportunities for malpractices and ensure that students are assessed fairly and transparently.
The importance of this reform cannot be overstated, as it has far-reaching implications for the country’s education system and its economy. As the Minister of State for Education, Prof. Suwaiba Ahmad, emphasized, Nigeria needs to address its skills gap and reduce its reliance on foreign workers. “We have seen companies hiring 60 per cent of their workforce from abroad. That must change,” she stressed. This call to action highlights the need for Nigeria to develop its human capital and equip its citizens with the skills required to compete in the global job market.
The legislative arm of government has also thrown its weight behind the education reforms, with Sen. Muntari Dandutse, Chair of the Senate Committee on Tertiary Institutions and TETFund, pledging support for the initiative. According to him, education is “the heart of national transformation,” and the government must prioritize it to drive growth and development.
As Nigeria moves towards a more digital and skills-based education system, it is clear that the country is on the cusp of a significant transformation. With the full digitization of national examinations and the emphasis on Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET), Nigeria is poised to unlock the potential of its youthful population and become a major player in the global economy. The next few years will be crucial in determining the success of these reforms, but one thing is certain – the future of Nigeria’s education sector looks brighter than ever.
