Nigeria Moves to End ‘Miracle Centres’ as NECO Adopts Computer-Based Exams
The Federal Government’s decision to introduce computer-based examinations for the National Examinations Council from 2026 is being viewed as a major step toward strengthening children’s right to quality and credible education in Nigeria.
Announcing the reform during NECO’s 25th anniversary celebration in Abuja, the Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa, said the transition to technology-driven examinations would help reduce malpractice, improve transparency, and modernise Nigeria’s assessment system.
For many education advocates, the move goes beyond examination reform. It touches directly on children’s right to development through fair learning opportunities, reliable certification, and access to digital literacy skills increasingly required in today’s world.
Alausa explained that the new computer-based system would allow authorities to monitor examinations in real time, detect suspicious activities quickly, and curb widespread malpractice such as impersonation, collusion, and question leaks that have long undermined confidence in public examinations.
“We are at the threshold of a very important reform,” the minister said, noting that NECO’s adoption of computer-based examinations could strengthen the credibility of certificates earned by millions of Nigerian students.
Child rights experts have repeatedly argued that examination malpractice weakens educational development because it rewards dishonesty over learning and deprives hardworking children of equal opportunities. They say credible assessment systems are essential to protecting every child’s right to education and future advancement.
The minister also stressed that education must move beyond rote memorisation and begin preparing children with practical competencies such as critical thinking, digital literacy, and problem-solving skills.
Education stakeholders say this aspect of the reform is particularly important as children in many public schools still face limited exposure to technology despite the growing digitalisation of learning and employment globally.
Registrar and Chief Executive of National Examinations Council, Dantani Wushishi, said the council had already introduced several digital reforms, including e-certificates, digital verification systems, and data analytics platforms.
According to him, NECO now conducts examinations in eight countries, reflecting growing international recognition of its certificates.
However, education advocates warn that while computer-based examinations could improve transparency, the government must ensure children in rural and underserved communities are not excluded due to poor electricity supply, lack of computers, weak internet access, and inadequate digital training.
They argue that equal access to technology remains critical if the reform is to genuinely promote children’s educational development rather than widen existing inequalities between urban and rural learners.
Participants at the anniversary event described the planned transition as a significant turning point in Nigeria’s education sector, expressing optimism that technology-driven examinations could restore public confidence in national assessments while preparing students for a more competitive digital future.
