450 Schools Set To Write Computer–based WASSCE

About 450 schools nationwide have adopted the option of writing the 2026 Computer-based West African Senior School Certificate Examination (CB-WASSCE) for school candidates.

The head of the Nigeria National Office, West African Examinations Council, Dr Amos Dangut, made this known yesterday during a press briefing, stating that 450 of 24,207 schools registered to write the CB-WASSCE.

He described the figure as an increase compared to 40 schools that opted for CB-WASSCE in 2025.

“This year, the number has increased. Last year, we had fewer than 40 schools nationwide that started the computer-based mode. But as we talk now, we have about 450 schools. If you calculate the percentage from 40 schools to 450 schools, the percentage is very high.

“Now, because of the design of that examination, we don’t need any elaborate arrangement. If a school tells us today that they are ready for CBT, we will deploy it tomorrow, and that is why the number keeps going up. But as of this count today (Monday), we don’t have fewer than 450 schools that have joined the CB-WASSCE,” he said.

He stressed that centres must have either a generator or solar power to prevent power outages, expressing concerns about power supply from the national grid.

“You must have more than one power source in that centre. If you are only on the national grid, you don’t qualify. You have to have either a generator or a solar system in addition. In fact, we require that you have the three. But when you have two good functional independent systems that will provide power, you qualify to be considered in addition to other facilities,” he said.

‎He assured that the council has taken every measure to prevent a recurrence of the technical glitch that occurred after the results were released last year.

‎”We have learned from our glitch. We have perfected everything. I speak authoritatively that we will not have a repeat of that glitch that led to a release and another release of results.

‎”Because last year, it was the first time we were embarking on such innovation. And now, we are not doing it for the first time. We have taken corrective measures to ensure that it doesn’t happen again,” he said.

‎He urged schools in volatile areas to relocate to a secure environment and to seek support from security outfits.

‎”We always seek the support of all security outfits, beginning from the military to the police to the vigilantes. We seek their support and collaboration in ensuring the safety of supervisors, staff, students, and examination materials. So, we have continued and will continue to seek collaboration and assistance to ensure that security issues are addressed at the board level.

‎”There are certain instances where we cannot help but request the stakeholders, the owners of the schools, to relocate the candidates to safer areas. If it’s a government school, we plead with the government to relocate. If it’s a private school, relocate to where it is generally accepted as a secure area, ‘he said.