The West African Examinations Council (WAEC) has warned schools to urgently equip their ICT centres in line with its standards as it fully switches to computer-based examinations (CBT) from 2026.
Speaking in Port Harcourt at a sensitisation forum, WAEC Zonal Coordinator, Mr. Adeniran-Amusan Akim, said the new system was “here to stay” and urged schools to comply if they want to host exams within their premises.
Akim disclosed that Rivers State was already showing strong interest, adding that designated centres would be provided for schools unable to meet requirements.
Also, WAEC’s Head of Examinations, Mr. Lucky Njoagwuani, listed the minimum standards: 250 functional laptops with 10% backup, a server for 250 concurrent systems, LAN setup, reliable power supply, CCTV cameras, and air-conditioned exam halls.
He stressed that the CBT model had been tested with private candidates for two years and proved successful.
In his remarks, Mr. Sunday Jaja, Chairman of the National Association of Proprietors of Private Schools in Rivers, urged school owners to tap into Bank of Industry loans and federal MSME funds to finance the transition.
The event, organised by Teadro Systems Ltd in partnership with NAPPS, BOI, HP, Lenovo, and Canon, ended with a raffle draw that saw schools win ICT equipment.
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