Oyo Govt to Procure 60,000 Laptops Ahead of WAEC CBT Rollout

 Oyo Govt to Procure 60,000 Laptops Ahead of WAEC CBT Rollout

Ibadan — The Oyo State Government has announced plans to procure over 60,000 laptops for public senior secondary schools as part of its readiness for the full adoption of the Computer-Based Test (CBT) mode for the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) examinations.

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

Olayiwola said Governor Seyi Makinde has directed the Ministry to work out the cost implications for the laptop procurement, noting that the initiative is aimed at positioning Oyo State ahead of the nationwide transition from pen-and-paper examinations to full digital testing, as directed by the Federal Government.

He commended WAEC for the proactive steps taken to address challenges recorded during the 2025 examinations and assured the Council of the Ministry’s continued support in tackling examination malpractice and preventing vandalisation of school facilities across the state.

Speaking earlier, Amode said the visit was to appreciate the Oyo State Ministry of Education for its support during the 2025 WAEC examinations and its consistent collaboration with the Council over the years, describing the Ministry as a critical stakeholder in the success of WAEC operations.

He disclosed that registration for the 2026 May/June WAEC examination closed on February 2, 2026, adding that the forthcoming examinations would be conducted using a combination of CBT and pen-and-paper modes, depending on the level of preparedness of individual schools.

According to him, schools willing to participate fully in the CBT mode are expected to formally notify WAEC through official correspondence.

Amode also warned that severe sanctions await any candidate found with mobile phones in the examination hall, stressing that such misconduct could lead to the cancellation of an entire school’s results, depending on the circumstances. He urged school principals and teachers to uphold integrity to safeguard educational standards.

Meanwhile, the Commissioner has called on parents, guardians and teachers to strengthen collaboration to address moral decline among students, stressing that effective partnership between the home and school remains vital for raising disciplined and responsible learners.

Olayiwola made the call while receiving members of the National Education Reform Movement (NERM), urging stakeholders to prioritise discipline and quality teaching. In his remarks, NERM leader Mr. Adewumi Abass warned that weak parent-teacher synergy and rising examination malpractice pose serious threats to Nigeria’s education system and recommended the use of the resource book, “Parenting for Excellence,” as a guide for improvement.