How I Revolutionised OMR, ICR Examination Processing In Nigeria — David Atanda

A Lagos-based technology expert, David Atanda, who provides innovative solutions to institutions and businesses, has spoken about his recent deployment of OMR and ICR for Examination Processing in the country.

Asked about the motivation behind the solution, Atanda explained, “In 2016, I set out on a journey that would later reshape how examinations are processed in several Nigerian institutions. At the time, many schools relied heavily on manual Optical Mark Recognition and Intelligent Character Recognition methods. These systems were slow, exposed to human error and placed enormous pressure on administrators. Results took time, mistakes were common and confidence in the process was sometimes questioned.”

He maintained his conviction that Nigeria’s education system deserved better.

“The idea that drove me was simple but demanding. How could we reduce human interference, speed up examination processing and still guarantee accuracy and security? That question pushed me into years of research, testing and refinement?” he said.

The tech-savvy Atanda explained that the process required patience, technical depth and a clear understanding of the realities within Nigerian schools, adding that the goal was not to import a foreign solution blindly, but to adapt technology that would function effectively within the nation’s educational environment.

“After extensive experimentation, I succeeded in integrating an OMR software solution with a Scantron OMR scanner, a specialised machine widely used in advanced educational systems outside Nigeria. This was a turning point. For the first time in the country, institutions could rely on a fully automated and highly accurate OMR system powered by Scantron technology.

“What this meant in practical terms was simple. Scripts could be processed faster, errors caused by manual handling were drastically reduced and the integrity of results was strengthened,” he explained.

He stressed that the deployment of these solutions across private and public institutions marked a significant milestone. “Institutions such as Lagos State College of Health and Jesuit Memorial College, among others, embraced the innovation. They experienced improved turnaround time in releasing results and greater confidence in their assessment processes.

“Beyond the integration of software and hardware, I also developed secure OMR examination papers to ensure that the entire chain, from question design to result generation, meets modern standards of confidentiality and reliability.”

The Osun State-born Atanda added that this innovation became crucial considering that education thrives on credibility. “When students write examinations, they deserve assurance that their efforts will be assessed fairly and accurately. Parents deserve confidence in the system that evaluates their children. School administrators need efficient processes that reduce workload and minimise avoidable errors.

“Automation addresses these concerns directly. It eliminates common marking mistakes, shortens processing time and strengthens the overall integrity of assessments.

“Nigeria cannot afford to lag behind in educational technology. Our institutions must operate at standards comparable to global best practices. By deploying a SScantron-basedOMR solution locally, we have demonstrated that technological advancement in examination processing is not beyond our reach. What is required is vision, persistence and a commitment to solving real problems.”

He stressed that what began as his personal research project has catalysed into a practical and scalable solution.

Atanda projected that more institutions will adopt the solution adopt secure, automated and data-driven examination systems.

He advocated that the future of assessment in Nigeria must be efficient, transparent and technology-powered, adding that, “I am proud to have contributed to bringing that future closer to reality.”