By Abdulrashid Kabir, Abuja.
The National Assembly has ordered the Federal Ministry of Education and the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) to suspend the planned introduction of Computer-Based Testing (CBT) for the 2026 West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE), shifting the rollout date to 2030.
The directive followed a resolution of the House of Representatives after adopting a motion of urgent public importance sponsored by Rep. Kelechi Wogu.
The lawmaker warned that a premature switch to CBT would endanger millions of students, especially those in rural communities, and could trigger widespread failure, emotional distress, and even depression among candidates.
Wogu stressed that WAEC plays a pivotal role in determining students’ access to higher education, with many institutions requiring a minimum of five credits—including English and Mathematics—for admission.
He recalled how a temporary shutdown of the WAEC result portal in 2025 due to “technical glitches” had left thousands of candidates stranded and anxious.
He noted that the Ministry’s insistence on beginning CBT in 2026 disregarded strong opposition from the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) and heads of schools, particularly in remote areas where over 70 percent of candidates reside.
“The House is cognisant that computer-based examinations require fully equipped halls with functional computers, internet access, and constant electricity either from the national grid or standby generators,” Wogu said.
According to him, about 25,500 schools are expected to produce candidates for the 2026 examinations, which span four months from March to July. Yet, most schools lack adequate computer facilities, reliable electricity, and trained ICT teachers.
Wogu argued that unlike the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), whose exams are fully objective and conducted in a single day, WAEC assessments require candidates to sit for at least nine papers comprising theory, objectives, and practicals making a hurried transition to CBT impractical.
To avert what he described as “a looming national disaster,” he proposed that the government embark on a phased preparation plan spanning 2026 to 2029.
This would include recruiting computer teachers, building ICT-compliant exam halls, providing standby generators, and assessing private schools’ readiness before full implementation.
The House unanimously adopted the motion and mandated its Committees on Basic Examination Bodies, Digital and Information Technology, Basic Education and Services, and Labour, Employment and Productivity to engage all relevant stakeholders and report back within four weeks for further legislative action.
