Lagos, WAEC partner to boost exam standards, move toward CBT

The Lagos State Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education has reaffirmed its partnership with the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) to strengthen assessment standards and drive a technology-based transformation of examinations.

This was disclosed in a statement by the Deputy Director of Public Affairs, Mr. Kayode Sutton, on Sunday following the State Committee meeting of WAEC held under the Ministry’s supervision.

According to the statement, the Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, Mr. Jamiu Alli-Balogun, chaired the meeting, alongside the Permanent Secretary, Mrs. Abisola Dokunmu-Adegbite, and other key education officials.

The committee, which also included Mrs. Bopo Oyekan-Ismaila, Permanent Secretary of the Teaching Service Commission (TESCOM), and Tutor Generals/Permanent Secretaries of Education Districts I, II, III, and VI, reaffirmed the strong synergy between Lagos State and WAEC while reviewing its composition to reflect current realities in the state’s education framework.

Mr. Sutton explained that the new structure aims to ensure better representation by including all six Tutor Generals, TESCOM, the Office of Education Quality Assurance, and the Parents’ Forum.

Mr. Alli-Balogun restated Lagos State’s zero tolerance for examination malpractice, directing that all cases and sanctions be communicated to affected schools through proper ministry channels.

He further assured that the state would continue to uphold fairness and integrity in all examinations, ensuring every learner competes on merit within a transparent and credible assessment system.

In his remarks, the WAEC Zonal Coordinator, Mr. Rafiu Atoyebi, presented a performance analysis across states and subjects while sensitising members on the Council’s upcoming transition to Computer-Based Testing (CBT).

Atoyebi revealed that the proposed format would be hybrid, beginning with a pilot phase for selected subjects to be conducted at Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) accredited centres nationwide.

He noted that the shift to CBT marks the future of assessment, adding that it will eliminate logistics challenges, reduce malpractice, and enhance examination credibility through technology-driven systems.

Atoyebi assured stakeholders that connectivity and rural access would not hinder participation, emphasising WAEC’s readiness for full Computer-Based WASSCE by the 2026 examination year.