The National Examinations Council (NECO) has announced that beginning with the November/December 2025 Senior School Certificate Examination (SSCE) External, candidates will no longer sit for paper-and-pencil tests, as the council fully transitions to a Computer-Based Examination (CBE) system.
The decision aligns with the Federal Government’s earlier disclosure in July that all WAEC and NECO examinations would fully adopt computer-based testing by 2026.
Naija News understands that privately-owned and institution-based CBT centres are expected to play a significant role in the nationwide rollout.
Confirming the development in a statement released on Wednesday, NECO said: “The National Examinations Council (NECO) has concluded arrangements to migrate from paper pencil to computer-based examination, starting from the 2025 November/December Senior School Certificate Examination (SSCE) External.”
Strict Requirements for CBT Centres
To ensure a smooth transition, NECO has invited interested operators of computer-based centres to apply for registration, stressing that only centres that meet strict technical and security standards will be approved.
The council listed some of the mandatory specifications as follows:
- Hall Requirements: Each CBT hall must accommodate a minimum of 150 functional computer systems or laptops with 10% backups, alongside robust servers and properly partitioned cubicles.
- Security and Monitoring: All centres must be equipped with CCTV surveillance cameras (IP-based), reliable internet service from MTN or Airtel, and fenced premises with adequate security personnel.
- Facilities: Air-conditioned halls, internal toilets, holding rooms for candidates, and backup power supply (at least a 40kva generator plus UPS/inverters with three-hour capacity).
NECO stressed that makeshift CBT halls will not be accepted. The examination body also underscored the importance of staff integrity.
“The CBE centre personnel (including technical staff) should be dependable and trustworthy. They are to be men of high integrity that can ensure the credibility of the examination process,” NECO stated.
Call for Applications
The council urged eligible CBT operators across the country to apply for accreditation, noting that this marks a new era for the examination body.
With the phase-out of paper-and-pencil tests, NECO believes the transition will enhance the credibility, efficiency, and global competitiveness of Nigeria’s secondary school examinations.
BELOW IS THE FULL COMPUTER-BASED EXAMINATION (CBE) CENTRE REQUIREMENTS AND GUIDELINES AS RELEASED BY NECO
A. System Requirements
1. Minimum of 150 functional Computer Systems/Laptops with 10% (ie, 15 ) backups with the following minimum specifications:
Intel Based processor. Dual core Celeron/Pentium, Ram: 4GB Ram, HD: SSD Preferred, 32GB minimum, Windows 10, 10/100MB RJ45 Network Port, Browser (Latest versions of Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, or Microsoft Edge).
2. Minimum 15 inches flat screen Computer monitor for desktop or 17 inches for laptop.
3. The computer systems must be connected to a robust computer server with capacity to carry a minimum of 150 systems concurrently.
4. Provision of up-to-date Antivirus and all the systems must be virus free.
5. All the computer systems must be linked together in a star topology on Cable Local Area Network topology (LAN). (Wireless Computer connection is not allowed).
6. Switches must be on uninterrupted power source throughout the examination.
7. Gigabit switches are the recommended switches and each center must have 2 backup switches.
B. Hall Requirements
8. Provision of individual cubicle with minimum length of 26 inches, breadth of 18 inches and height of 18 inches and appropriate seat for each system.
9. Availability of adequate and functional air-conditioners and lighting.
10. Availability of prescribed CCTV network with IP Cameras for monitoring.
11. The CCTV must be cabled; no wireless CCTV will be allowed.
12. Exposed or flying cables are not allowed in the examination hall; all cables must therefore be trunked.
13. Network coverage: There must be strong MTN or AIRTEL signal at the location of the centre.
14. There must be enough Wall Clocks that will be visible to all candidates in the hall as candidates would no longer be allowed to bring in Wrist Watches to the examination hall. 15. Make-shift CBT centres are not allowed, all centres must therefore be dedicated CBT centres that are used and maintained as such all year round.
16. The centre must not be in shared premises such as cinema hall, shopping mall, market, etc.
C. Facilities and Personnel Requirements
17. Availability of back-up power supply (power generating set of minimum 40kva for a centre with 250 systems and UPS/inverters that can carry all systems for a minimum of three (3) hours.
18. Adequate CBE personnel, two technical personnel (2) and one (1) network engineer. 19. The CBE centre personnel (including technical staff) should be dependable and trustworthy. They are to be men of high integrity that can ensure the credibility of the examination process.
20. Provision must be made for adequate holding room or reception facility eg canopy with chairs, etc.
21. There must be internal toilets (inside the CBT hall).
22. Adequate security personnel of the CBE Facilities.
23. The centre must be adequately fenced.
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