Education and technology leaders have called for urgent investments in connectivity and inclusive policies as Nigeria prepares to transition all national examinations to computer-based testing (CBT) by 2026.
This was the focus of the inaugural webinar hosted by DIniti8tive in partnership with the Quality Education Development Associates (QEDA), themed “Connectivity and the Cost/Integrity of National Examinations in Nigeria.”
Moderated by Esther Adegunle, associate director for Business and Economic Growth at DAI, the session examined four critical issues: the role of connectivity in exam fairness, the economic and social costs of exam-day glitches, policy and technology innovations, and the launch of DIniti8tive’s policy advocacy platform for education reform.
Delivering the opening remarks, Dr. Dara Akala, international development expert and former executive director of the PIND Foundation, emphasized that while Nigeria has made strides in digitalization, challenges remain in education.
“Connectivity gaps, rising telecom costs, and weak ICT infrastructure risk excluding millions of students, especially in rural and underserved communities. This transition must be fair and inclusive,” he said.
The keynote address was delivered by Chief Osita Chidoka, former minister of Aviation and Chancellor of the Athena Centre for Policy and Leadership, who championed Nigeria’s digital readiness.
He cited JAMB’s CBT success as proof that large-scale digital reforms are possible.
“Over the last decade, Nigeria has undergone a silent digital revolution, from banking to voter registration. The key question is: can we deliver fair, accessible, glitch-free digital examinations for every Nigerian child? The answer depends on political will and sustained innovation,” Chidoka asserted.
Chidoka also shared his experience digitizing processes at the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), including accident reporting, e-ticketing, and staff promotion exams, stressing that digital systems thrive when backed by leadership and infrastructure.
Also speaking, Dr. Fidelis Ekom, co-founder and Managing Partner of DIniti8tive, reiterated the group’s commitment to advocacy and collaboration.
“Today we interrogated a subject that touches the core of educational equity in Nigeria, connectivity and the cost and integrity of national examinations. Together, we’ve examined the realities: the infrastructure gaps, the economic and social toll of exam-day glitches, and the risk of leaving millions of children behind as we transition to full CBT systems.
“Nigeria does not need to disrupt existing systems like JAMB and WAEC. We must expand their capacity, reinforce their integrity, and ensure inclusivity. Every child deserves a fair chance to prove their potential, no matter where they live.
“But more importantly, we have spotlighted solutions: Strengthening connectivity and infrastructure to reach underserved communities; leveraging technology and EdTech innovations that are low-cost, inclusive, and scalable; ensuring shared accountability frameworks where exam bodies, parents, students, and schools co-create solutions, and fostering bold partnerships across government, private sector, and civil society that can truly move us from plans to performance,” Ekom said.
Stakeholders, including representatives from WAEC, NANS, NAPTAN, NAPPS, parents, legal experts, and EdTech innovators, contributed to the discussions, underscoring the need for public-private partnerships to strengthen exam systems.
As next steps, DIniti8tive announced plans to produce a post-event policy brief, share digital advocacy tools, and launch pilot projects that improve exam connectivity, fairness, and reliability ahead of the 2026 CBT deadline.
