The House of Representatives has called on the Federal Government to suspend the planned introduction of Computer-Based Testing (CBT) for the 2026 West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) conducted by the West African Examinations Council (WAEC).
The resolution followed the adoption of a motion of urgent public importance moved by Hon. Kelechi Nworgu during Thursday’s plenary session.
Concerns Raised by Lawmakers
Hon. Nworgu warned that the sudden rollout of CBT for WASSCE could lead to massive failure, depression, and even deaths among candidates, citing inadequate preparedness in many schools.
While acknowledging the success of CBT in JAMB examinations, he emphasized that the conditions in most Nigerian secondary schools make such a transition premature for WAEC examinations scheduled for 2026.
“Most of the over 25,500 secondary schools across the country, especially those in rural areas, do not have functional computers, qualified computer teachers, or stable electricity,” Nworgu noted.
He added that many students—particularly those in underserved communities—have never used a computer before, yet they are expected to take up to nine subjects, including theory and practical exams, through CBT.
Call for a Gradual Transition
The lawmaker urged the Federal Ministry of Education and WAEC to defer the CBT implementation for at least three years, suggesting a gradual transition between 2029 and 2030 after proper infrastructure and training have been provided.
He further cautioned that pushing ahead with the 2026 rollout could widen educational inequality between students in urban and rural areas, thereby undermining the fairness of the national examination process.
House Resolution
Following deliberations, the House of Representatives:
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Directed WAEC and the Federal Ministry of Education to immediately suspend the planned CBT introduction for the 2026 WASSCE.
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Urged the Ministry to embark on nationwide infrastructure development, including provision of computers, electricity, and qualified ICT teachers in public schools.
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Called for stakeholder engagement involving the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), school administrators, parents, and state education boards before adopting any digital examination model.
Background
WAEC had earlier announced its intention to begin conducting Computer-Based Testing (CBT) starting from the 2026 examination session, aligning with global digital trends and the model already adopted by JAMB.
However, the announcement drew strong opposition from key education stakeholders including the NUT and school principals who cited poor ICT infrastructure and digital illiteracy among students in rural schools.
Next Steps
With the House resolution, WAEC and the Ministry are expected to review their readiness plan and pause all implementation activities until the National Assembly’s directive is fully addressed.
The development underscores growing concerns about balancing technological innovation with educational equity across Nigeria’s diverse learning environments.
For More Information:
Students, parents, and school administrators are advised to follow official updates from the Federal Ministry of Education and the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) for verified information on the planned CBT rollout.
Visit the official WAEC website via www.waecdirect.org or follow the Federal Ministry of Education on their verified social media handles for future announcements.
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