AI to the Rescue: Fixing Nigeria’s CBT Challenges

Computer-Based Testing in Nigeria, though promising, faces recurring setbacks: unstable power, poor internet, and system crashes that frustrate candidates. These challenges raise fairness questions in high-stakes exams like UTME and professional certifications. AI and modern IT solutions can restore trust and reliability in Nigeria’s exam ecosystem.

Since 2013, when JAMB introduced Computer-Based Testing (CBT) for the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME), Nigerian candidates have faced repeated challenges. Power outages, inadequate server capacity, and unreliable internet connectivity often disrupt exams. In 2020, reports surfaced of candidates being logged out mid-exam due to system failures, while others complained of questions not loading at all. These issues not only disadvantage students but also undermine public trust in digital education reforms.

The impact is severe: candidates sometimes travel long distances only to find centers unable to function; parents invest heavily in preparation, yet their children are judged by flawed systems. Beyond JAMB, professional exams like ICAN and nursing boards face similar disruptions.

AI and IT can offer practical solutions. Predictive AI models can forecast server loads and automatically reassign candidates to less-burdened nodes in real time. AI-driven monitoring tools can detect cheating attempts without human bias, reducing the need for overcrowded physical invigilation. Cloud-based exam delivery, supported by adaptive offline-first systems, would ensure continuity even during internet outages. Furthermore, AI-powered chatbots could provide instant multilingual guidance to anxious candidates before and during exams.

If properly deployed, these solutions can make CBT not just a technological experiment but a reliable backbone of Nigeria’s educational system—one that is fair, scalable, and trusted by all stakeholders.

To secure the future of digital testing in Nigeria, stakeholders must invest in AI-driven infrastructure, robust backup systems, and candidate-centered support. Let’s re-engineer CBT into a platform that rewards merit, not chance. Reliability is possible—if technology is applied wisely.

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