The Lagos State Government has announced a partnership with the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) to ensure a smooth transition to Computer-Based Testing (CBT) for the May/June 2026 West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE).
This was the key outcome of the recent WAEC State Committee meeting, convened by the Lagos State Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education and chaired by the Honourable Commissioner, Mr. Jamiu Alli-Balogun.
Speaking at the meeting, Alli-Balogun reiterated the state’s commitment to upholding the integrity of public examinations and maintaining its zero-tolerance policy toward malpractice. He stated that all cases of contravention and corresponding sanctions would henceforth be communicated directly to schools through the ministry.
The commissioner, who led the state delegation alongside the Permanent Secretary, Mrs. Abisola Dokunmu-Adegbite, and other senior education officials, also announced a review of the committee’s composition to align with current administrative structures in the state’s education sector.
Under the new structure, the committee will now include the six Tutor-Generals/Permanent Secretaries from Education Districts I–VI, the Permanent Secretary of the Teaching Service Commission (TESCOM), and representatives from the Office of Education Quality Assurance (OEQA), which replaces the former Inspectorate Division. In addition, the Parents’ Forum will now take the place of the defunct Parents Teachers Association (PTA).
WAEC’s Zonal Coordinator, Mr. Rafiu Atoyebi, presented a detailed analysis of students’ performance across states and subjects, while also unveiling the council’s plan for a hybrid CBT format. He revealed that a pilot phase will be conducted for selected subjects at Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB)-accredited centres ahead of the full implementation in 2026.
Acknowledging earlier stakeholder concerns regarding technical glitches that accompanied the release of the 2025 WASSCE results, Atoyebi assured that the council had implemented robust measures to ensure a seamless conduct of the forthcoming CBT examinations, including special provisions for candidates in rural areas.
“Computer-Based WASSCE is the way to go. It represents the future of examinations,” he affirmed, noting that the digital transition would enhance exam credibility, curb malpractice, and eliminate logistical challenges.
He added that the CBT initiative forms part of WAEC’s broader strategy to modernise its assessment processes through technology integration across registration, testing, result processing, and verification.
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