NECO to End Paper Exams, Adopts Full CBT From Nov 2025
The National Examinations Council (NECO) has announced a major shift in how it will conduct its examinations. Beginning with the 2025 November/December Senior School Certificate Examination (SSCE) External, NECO will completely phase out the traditional paper-pencil method and adopt a full computer-based testing (CBT) system for all future exams.
To make this transition seamless and credible, NECO has opened registration for interested CBT centre operators across the country. Centres must meet strict requirements covering technology, infrastructure, and security. Each facility is expected to have at least 150 functional computers or laptops with 10 percent backups, reliable servers, virus-free systems, and high-speed gigabit LAN connectivity.
Examination halls must also be well-structured, with individual cubicles built to prescribed standards, functional air-conditioning, adequate lighting, visible wall clocks, and CCTV cameras connected via IP. Only strong MTN or Airtel network signals will be accepted, and wristwatches will remain prohibited during the exams. Makeshift or shared-premises centres will not be allowed.
In addition, centres must guarantee uninterrupted power with a 40kVA generator and UPS or inverters capable of running for at least three hours. Each centre must also employ qualified staff, including two technical personnel and a network engineer, while providing proper facilities such as toilets, holding rooms, and fenced premises with a strong security presence.
NECO stressed that these CBT centres must remain dedicated facilities maintained throughout the year, ensuring the integrity and credibility of examinations. The initiative aligns with the Federal Government’s plan to fully transition both public and private CBT centres nationwide by 2026.
This reform not only strengthens the reliability of examinations but also embraces the digital future of learning and assessment in Nigeria. At its core, it upholds the child’s right to education by ensuring that every learner is assessed through a secure, fair, and technologically advanced system.
