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 inv...