By Joshua Tosin Ogunsakin 
The Oyo State government has reaffirmed its preparedness for the official commencement of the Computer-Based Test (CBT) by the West African Examinations Council (WAEC).
This is in line with the Federal Government’s directive for a gradual transition from pen-and-paper to full digital testing.
Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Olusegun Olayiwola, disclosed this while receiving the Zonal Coordinator and Deputy Registrar of WAEC, Mr. Waheed Amode, and his management team during a courtesy visit to his office in Ibadan.
Olayiwola revealed that Governor Seyi Makinde has directed that the cost implications for the procurement of over 60,000 laptops for public senior secondary schools across the state be worked out, noting that the move was aimed at positioning the state ahead of the full adoption of CBT by WAEC.
He commended WAEC for the proactive measures taken to address the challenges experienced during the 2025 examinations, while pledging the ministry’s continued support in curbing examination malpractice and preventing vandalisation of school facilities.
In his remarks, Amode said the visit was to appreciate the Oyo State Ministry of Education for its support during the 2025 WAEC examinations and for its consistent collaboration with the Council over the years, describing the ministry as a key stakeholder in the success of WAEC operations.
He disclosed that registration for the 2026 May/June WAEC examinations closed on February 2, 2026, adding that the forthcoming examinations would be conducted using both CBT and pen-and-paper modes depending on the readiness of individual schools, while schools interested in full CBT participation were expected to formally indicate their interest through official correspondence.
Amode also warned that severe penalties await any candidate caught with mobile phones in the examination hall.
He stressed that such misconduct could lead to the cancellation of an entire school’s results, depending on the circumstances, and urged principals and teachers to uphold integrity in order to strengthen educational standards.
Meanwhile, Olayiwola has called on parents, guardians and teachers to strengthen collaboration in order to address moral decline in schools, noting that effective partnership between the home and the school was essential for raising disciplined, responsible and value-driven students.
The commissioner made the call while receiving members of the National Education Reform Movement (NERM), urging stakeholders to prioritise discipline and quality teaching, while NERM leader, Mr. Adewumi Abass, warned that weak parent–teacher synergy and rising examination malpractice posed serious threats to Nigeria’s education system and recommended the use of the resource book, “Parenting for Excellence,” as a guide for improvement.