Oyo Govt Plans 60,000 Laptops for WAEC CBT Transition in Public Schools

The Oyo State Government has announced plans to procure over 60,000 laptops for public senior secondary schools across the state as part of preparations for the official transition of the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) examinations to the Computer-Based Test (CBT) format.

The move aligns with the Federal Government’s directive for a gradual migration from traditional pen-and-paper examinations to digital testing nationwide.

The Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Hon. Olusegun Olayiwola, disclosed the development while receiving the Zonal Coordinator and Deputy Registrar of WAEC, Mr. Waheed Amode, during a courtesy visit to his office on Wednesday, February 4, 2026.

According to Olayiwola, Governor Seyi Makinde has directed that the financial implications for the procurement of the laptops be urgently worked out to ensure Oyo State remains ahead of the curve in digital examination readiness.

He noted that the initiative is part of broader efforts to modernise education delivery, strengthen examination integrity, and position Oyo students competitively in a rapidly evolving digital academic environment.

The Commissioner also commended WAEC for addressing operational challenges encountered during the 2025 examinations and pledged the Ministry’s continued collaboration in curbing examination malpractice and preventing vandalisation of school infrastructure.

WAEC Confirms Dual-Mode Examination for 2026
Speaking during the visit, WAEC Zonal Coordinator Mr. Waheed Amode revealed that registration for the 2026 May/June WAEC examination closed on February 2, 2026.

He explained that the forthcoming examination will be conducted using both CBT and pen-and-paper formats, depending on the preparedness of individual schools. Schools willing to fully adopt the CBT format are required to formally communicate their readiness to WAEC through official correspondence.

Amode issued a stern warning against examination malpractice, particularly the possession of mobile phones inside examination halls. He stressed that such violations could attract severe sanctions, including the cancellation of results for entire schools, depending on the circumstances.

Call for Stronger Parent–Teacher Collaboration
In a related development, the Commissioner urged parents, guardians, and teachers to strengthen collaboration in addressing moral decline within schools.

While receiving members of the National Education Reform Movement (NERM), Olayiwola emphasised that effective synergy between homes and schools is crucial for raising disciplined, responsible, and value-driven students.

NERM leader, Mr. Adewumi Abass, warned that weak parent–teacher relationships and the rising incidence of examination malpractice pose serious threats to Nigeria’s education system. He recommended the adoption of the resource guide “Parenting for Excellence” to support moral and academic development.

The state government reaffirmed its commitment to leveraging technology, institutional integrity, and stakeholder cooperation to strengthen educational standards across Oyo State.