The National Examinations Council (NECO) has announced that it will officially phase out the paper-and-pencil method of testing, with full migration to computer-based examinations.

Starting from the November/December 2025 Senior School Certificate Examination (SSCE) External, all candidates will take their exams entirely on a computer-based system.

This move follows the Federal Government’s earlier disclosure in July that both private and public Computer-Based Test (CBT) centres will be fully deployed for the conduct of school-based SSCEs by 2026.

In preparation, NECO has called on interested Computer-Based Centre operators across the country to register, provided they meet the council’s technical, infrastructural, and security requirements.

The council released detailed guidelines covering hall specifications, system standards, personnel qualifications, and security protocols.

Among the mandatory requirements, each centre must have:

A minimum of 150 functional computer systems/laptops with 10% backups.

Robust servers capable of handling concurrent connections.

Individual cubicles of specified dimensions for candidates.

Adequate air conditioning, lighting, and CCTV surveillance with IP cameras.

Strong internet signals from MTN or Airtel.

Dedicated CBT facilities only — no makeshift centres or shared premises such as cinemas or shopping malls.

For integrity and credibility, NECO stated that staff assigned to CBT centres must be trustworthy, technically competent, and of high moral standing.

Power and facility requirements include:

Backup power supply with at least a 40kva generator and UPS/inverters lasting three hours.

Internal toilets, holding rooms for candidates, and adequate fencing for security.

Presence of security personnel to safeguard facilities.

The council emphasised that centres must operate as year-round dedicated CBT facilities and not as temporary or improvised halls.