CBT Exams in Nigeria: Trust Broken, Future at Risk
In 2025, the confidence of many Nigerian students and parents in our national examination system took a serious hit. Between the sudden WAEC result cancellations and the repeated technical failures during JAMB UTME sessions, thousands of lives were disrupted. These weren’t minor glitches. These were errors that altered destinies, postponed admissions, and crushed the morale of students who had studied diligently.
Amidst the chaos, the Federal Government and various examination bodies continue to advocate for full Computer-Based Testing (CBT) across board—even for exams like WAEC and NECO that traditionally included handwritten essay components. The push for digitization is understandable, but the execution so far shows that Nigeria may not be ready.
WAEC 2025: Results Released, Then Revoked
In July 2025, WAEC released results for thousands of candidates nationwide. Within days, some of those results were taken down, altered, or completely voided. For candidates who had already printed their results and submitted them for admissions, the reversal came as a shock. No official explanation was issued—just silence.
This level of inconsistency from one of Africa’s oldest exam bodies sends a worrying message: Nigerian students cannot rely on the very institutions created to evaluate them.
JAMB CBT: When Technology Fails the Youth
The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), which pioneered CBT in Nigeria, had its fair share of failures in 2025. Technical errors forced some candidates to retake the exam multiple times. Some lost results, others had corrupted scripts, and a number of students were locked out of their sessions due to login failures.
These events not only caused academic delays but also financial burdens. Many parents had to pay additional transportation, lodging, or resit fees.
Advantages of CBT Exams
Despite the setbacks, CBT has its benefits:
- Faster results: Students get feedback within days.
- Efficiency: It reduces human error in marking and logistics.
- Environmental impact: CBT reduces paper waste.
- Standardization: Computer-based tests can help enforce uniformity across centers.
Disadvantages of CBT in Nigeria
The drawbacks, however, are hard to ignore:
- Technical failures: Many CBT centers experience server crashes, login problems, or power failures mid-exam.
- Digital illiteracy: Students from rural areas often have little or no experience with computers.
- Inequality: Access to CBT centers is better in urban regions than in remote communities.
- Increased stress: The unfamiliar environment adds mental pressure to candidates already under exam tension.
Nigeria’s Leaders Are Not Part of This Struggle
While the children of the poor wrestle with malfunctioning CBT systems, the children of Nigeria’s political class are quietly studying in universities abroad—in countries where exams are predictable, support systems are in place, and academic stress is not worsened by technical breakdowns.
This raises a bitter question: if CBT is so great, why aren’t their children writing it here in Nigeria?
It seems the system is designed to experiment on the poor while the rich enjoy stability overseas. It’s another example of how the Nigerian government toys with the future of the poor masses.
The Urban-Rural Divide in CBT Access
In Lagos or Abuja, students have better access to ICT labs, steady electricity, and basic digital literacy. In contrast, in towns like Malete or Gembu, some schools have no functioning computers, no internet, and unstable electricity. These students are then herded into CBT exams, competing with their city counterparts. How is that fair?
This systemic disadvantage is why many stakeholders, including NERDC, have called for a more balanced and inclusive digital policy for education.
Emotional Impact on Nigerian Students
The trauma caused by CBT failures is deep. Many students have reported emotional breakdowns after being told their answers weren’t submitted. Others say they’ve lost faith in the system entirely. Anxiety, depression, and a sense of hopelessness are becoming common among young Nigerians, especially those from underprivileged backgrounds.
10 Government Recommendations to Fix CBT Exams
- Start gradually: Introduce CBT in stages, starting with multiple-choice questions only.
- Rural access improvement: Invest in solar-powered digital classrooms in rural schools.
- Transparent communication: JAMB and WAEC must release public reports when results are canceled or modified.
- CBT-friendly training: Make digital literacy part of the curriculum from JSS1 upwards.
- Practice apps: Government should sponsor free CBT simulation apps for students.
- Accredited CBT centers: Only centers with stable internet, power, and backup systems should be approved.
- Offline CBT functionality: Exams should be savable locally during network outages and uploaded once stable.
- Monitor malpractice: Adopt AI or video surveillance to monitor cheating, rather than penalizing honest students due to system failure.
- Emergency resit policy: Offer free resit dates for students affected by technical issues without delay.
- Legislate CBT oversight: Pass a national CBT Examination Law to protect students and enforce accountability.
Best Examination Format for Nigeria
Until our digital infrastructure is more reliable and inclusive, Nigeria should adopt a hybrid examination model. This combines CBT for objective questions and traditional paper exams for essays and theory.
We should also look toward African success stories like Rwanda, where the government invested heavily in rural ICT development before launching national e-learning programs.
Additionally, Nigeria can collaborate with global organizations like UNESCO and UNICEF to bridge the digital divide in our schools.
Conclusion: Digital Exams Must Be Built on Trust
CBT can be Nigeria’s future—but not until we fix the present. The events of 2025 exposed a system that punishes the poor while the rich watch from afar. Students deserve better. They deserve fairness, preparation, and most importantly—a system that works.
Until then, no full transition to CBT should be allowed. The lives and futures of millions depend on this decision.
For related education updates, visit our Education category or check out latest JAMB 2025 updates.
