JAMB Updates: JAMB has scheduled the 2026 UTME mop-up examination for June 13 to accommodate candidates who missed the main exam. In related news, Lagos State University (LASU) emerged as the most preferred university for 2026, while the board warned institutions against illegal off-CAPS admissions

NECO Goes Digital: No More “Expo” as Computer-Based Exams Kick Off This Year

08/May/2026

The era of paper and pencil for the National Examinations Council (NECO) is officially coming to an end. In a bold move to modernize Nigeria’s education system, the Federal Government has announced that NECO will begin its transition to Computer-Based Examinations (CBE) starting this year, 2026.

This landmark update was revealed by the Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, during NECO’s 25th-anniversary celebration in Abuja. The shift is designed to align Nigeria’s secondary school assessments with the high standards already established by JAMB.

Key Highlights of the Transition

• Real-Time Monitoring: The new digital model allows authorities to track candidates in real time, making it nearly impossible for suspicious activities to go unnoticed.
• Curbing Malpractice: By randomizing questions, the “miracle center” culture and exam leakages (popularly known as “expo”) will be significantly neutralized.
• Global Standards: Minister Alausa emphasized that this move strengthens the credibility of Nigerian certificates, ensuring they are recognized as passports to brighter futures worldwide.
• Phase-In Approach: While the goal is 100% digital, the initial stages may use a hybrid model. This means objective questions will be on-screen, while complex theory or essay papers may temporarily remain on paper as students adapt.

What This Means for Schools and Students

NECO is already testing the waters with the National Gifted Exam and Common Entrance trials. For school administrators and students, the message is clear: digital literacy is no longer optional.

The Minister urged that assessments move beyond “rote learning” (cramming) and focus instead on critical thinking and problem-solving—the 21st-century skills students actually need to succeed after graduation.

“We are at the threshold of a very important reform. This will go a long way in curbing the menace of examination malpractice due to its ability to track and detect suspicious activity.” — Dr. Tunji Alausa, Minister of Education