By Joshua Tosin Ogunsakin 
The National Examinations Council has confirmed it will phase out the traditional paper-pencil method.
Beginning with the November/December 2025 SSCE External, all examinations will now be conducted using a full computer-based system.
The Federal Government in July revealed that privately-owned CBT centres and others belonging to public institutions would be fully deployed in the conduct of the school-based SSCE by 2026.
In a statement shared with Punch Online on Wednesday, the Council said, “The National Examinations Council (NECO) has concluded arrangements to migrate from paper pencil to computer-based examination, starting from the 2025 November/December Senior School Certificate Examination (SSCE) External.”
To ensure a smooth rollout, NECO has invited “interested Computer-Based Centre Operators” across the country to apply for registration, subject to strict technical, infrastructural, and security requirements.
The examination body noted releasing its detailed guidelines on hall requirements, system standards, and security measures.
Among the mandatory specifications, each centre must have “a minimum of 150 functional computer systems/laptops with 10% backups,” robust servers, cubicles of specific dimensions, air-conditioned halls, CCTV surveillance with IP cameras, and reliable internet signals from MTN or Airtel.
The council also stressed that “make-shift CBT centres are not allowed; all centres must therefore be dedicated CBT centres that are used and maintained as such all year round.”
On security and integrity, NECO mandated that CBT staff must be of high moral standing: “The CBE centre personnel (including technical staff) should be dependable and trustworthy.
“They are to be men of high integrity that can ensure the credibility of the examination process.”
The Council emphasised that facilities must include “adequate backup power supply (minimum 40kva generator, UPS/inverters with at least three hours capacity), internal toilets, holding rooms for candidates, and fenced premises with adequate security.”
Here is a list of conditions for hall, system, personnel and facilities requirements:
APPLICATION FROM COMPUTER-BASED EXAMINATION (CBE) CENTRE OPERATORS.
The National Examinations Council (NECO) has concluded arrangements to migrate from paper pencil to computer-based Examination, starting from the 2025 November/December Senior School Certificate Examination (SSCE) External.
Interested Computer-Based Centre Operators are invited to apply for Registration with the Council based on the following criteria
COMPUTER-BASED EXAMINATION (CBE) CENTRE REQUIREMENTS AND GUIDELINES
A. System Requirements
1. Minimum of 150 functional Computer Systems/Laptops with 10% (ie, 15 ) backups with the following minimum specifications:
Intel Based processor. Dual core Celeron/Pentium, Ram: 4GB Ram, HD: SSD Preferred, 32GB minimum, Windows 10, 10/100MB RJ45 Network Port, Browser (Latest versions of Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, or Microsoft Edge).
2. Minimum 15 inches flat screen Computer monitor for desktop or 17 inches for laptop.
3. The computer systems must be connected to a robust computer server with capacity to carry a minimum of 150 systems concurrently.
4. Provision of up-to-date Antivirus and all the systems must be virus free.
5. All the computer systems must be linked together in a star topology on Cable Local Area Network topology (LAN). (Wireless Computer connection is not allowed).
6. Switches must be on uninterrupted power source throughout the examination.
7. Gigabit switches are the recommended switches and each center must have 2 backup switches.
B. Hall Requirements
8. Provision of individual cubicle with minimum length of 26 inches, breadth of 18 inches and height of 18 inches and appropriate seat for each system.
9. Availability of adequate and functional air-conditioners and lighting.
10. Availability of prescribed CCTV network with IP Cameras for monitoring.
11. The CCTV must be cabled; no wireless CCTV will be allowed.
12. Exposed or flying cables are not allowed in the examination hall; all cables must therefore be trunked.
13. Network coverage: There must be strong MTN or AIRTEL signal at the location of the centre.
14. There must be enough Wall Clocks that will be visible to all candidates in the hall as candidates would no longer be allowed to bring in Wrist Watches to the examination hall. 15. Make-shift CBT centres are not allowed, all centres must therefore be dedicated CBT centres that are used and maintained as such all year round.
16. The centre must not be in shared premises such as cinema hall, shopping mall, market, etc.
C. Facilities and Personnel Requirements
17. Availability of back-up power supply (power generating set of minimum 40kva for a centre with 250 systems and UPS/inverters that can carry all systems for a minimum of three (3) hours.
18. Adequate CBE personnel, two technical personnel (2) and one (1) network engineer. 19. The CBE centre personnel (including technical staff) should be dependable and trustworthy. They are to be men of high integrity that can ensure the credibility of the examination process.
20. Provision must be made for adequate holding room or reception facility eg canopy with chairs, etc.
21. There must be internal toilets (inside the CBT hall).
22. Adequate security personnel of the CBE Facilities.
23. The centre must be adequately fenced.