The Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, has reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to fully transitioning to Computer-Based Test (CBT) examinations for the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) and other exam bodies by 2026.

Dr Alausa made this known while monitoring the conduct of WAEC’s CBT examinations in Abuja on Wednesday.

He expressed optimism about Nigeria’s capacity to modernise its examination system and reduce widespread malpractice through digital innovation.

Commending WAEC’s initiative, the minister described the shift from traditional pen-and-paper exams to CBT as a historic and crucial step toward fairness and educational integrity.

“We are working very hard to eliminate fraud in our exam system, and WAEC is taking the lead,” he said.

Highlighting the advantages of CBT, Alausa noted that the system simplified the exam process while significantly curbing cheating.

“We now have clear evidence that when exams are done using technology, the level of fraud is minimised to almost zero,” he stated.

He further lauded WAEC’s internal safeguards, explaining that the CBT system was operated via a secured Local Area Network (LAN), making it “literally impossible” to hack.

According to the minister, by Nov. 2025, all WAEC multiple-choice exams will be conducted using CBT.

He added that essay questions and NECO examinations would follow suit by 2026.

On infrastructure and logistics, particularly in remote areas, Alausa acknowledged the challenges but assured that scalable solutions are in progress.

“Are we going to be ready to provide every single needed infrastructure by November? Absolutely not.

“But as we move into the future, we will be ready. We have to challenge ourselves as government,” he said.

He also addressed concerns over the logistics of conducting multiple exams.

“In WAEC, the average student takes about eight to nine papers.

“They do it over several days. Those are the logistics we, as administrators, have to work through, and we already are,” he explained.

The ongoing WAEC exams, which began on April 24, are scheduled to conclude on June 20, 2025.

A total of 1,973,253 candidates from 23,554 schools are participating. Of this number, 979,228 candidates are male, accounting for 49.63 per cent, while 994,025 candidates are female, making up 50.37 per cent.(NAN)

 The First Lady, Sen. Oluremi Tinubu, has urged Nigerians to embrace their cultural diversity and promote unity and respect within the diverse nation.

The first lady made the call in her message on Wednesday in commemoration of the 2025 World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development.

“The World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development, highlights the profound strength that lies our differences and the shared humanity that connects us all.

”There is indeed strength and unity in diversity.

“Nigeria for example is blessed with over 250 ethnic groups, each speaking a different language, but it is through our dialogue, our interactions, and our mutual respect that we find true identity and unity.

“On this day, I encourage every Nigerian to celebrate our cultural richness, to listen with empathy, and to lead with understanding.

“Let us embrace this journey together and shape a brighter future for Nigeria and the world,” Mrs Tinubu said.

The World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development is celebrated every year on May 21, to raise awareness on the role of Culture in sustainable socio-economic growth and development. (NAN)

The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Executive Committee has approved the award of contract for the construction of access roads in Durumi and Mabushi Districts and other infrastructural projects.

Mr Richard Dauda, acting Executive Secretary, Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA), disclosed this in Abuja on Tuesday, while briefing journalists after the 14th committee’s meeting, chaired by FCT Minister Nyesom Wike.

Dauda said that a contract was approved for the construction of access roads in Durumi District.

He explained that the contract would involve the construction of several access roads, drainages and culverts totalling about 1.7-kilometres in Durumi, around the Apostolic Church.

He added that the committee also approved the provision of access roads and infrastructure to parts of Mabushi District, particularly the Kez Udezue street, and other roads in the area.

He said that the scope of that project involves the provision of access roads, underground drainage services, street lighting, and other facilities like water and sewage collectors.

Also approved, according to the acting FCDA boss, is an emergency contract for erosion control affecting water pipelines.

He explained that the erosion affected a major water pipeline from Lower Usuma Dam through Kubwa to Airport Road and down to Gwagwalada.

“Erosion had taken place on the major pipeline feeding the various tanks up to Gwagwalada and it was a threat to the major water supply to all these areas.

“So, a Chinese company, CGC Nigeria Ltd. was invited to carry out the emergency work on the sites and the approval at the committee’s meeting was to finalise the emergency repair,” he said.

Dauda also said that the committee equally approved the award of contract for the complete renovation, furnishing and technical installations at the Department of State Security Headquarters.

“Another memo was for the construction of one block of a Magistrate Court in Jabi,” he said.

Earlier, the Chief of Staff to the FCT Minister, Mr Chidi Amadi, explained that 13 memos were submitted for consideration, out of which nine were examined and approved.

Amadi added that the nine memos were approved to deepen the infrastructural development and upgrade of the capital city and its environment. (NAN)