The House of Representatives has ordered the Federal Ministry of Education and the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) to suspend the planned full adoption of Computer-Based Testing (CBT) for the 2026 West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE).
The House resolved that the CBT system should not be implemented before the 2030 academic year, allowing for a critical four-year window to build essential digital infrastructure and train personnel across the country.
The legislative intervention comes amidst strong concerns that a rushed transition to CBT would result in failure, particularly among students in underserved communities.
The directive followed a motion of urgent public importance moved by Representative Kelechi Wogu, who warned that implementing CBT prematurely could cause massive failure, frustration, depression, and social vices among candidates.
Lawmakers cited severe infrastructural deficiencies, stressing that over 70% of candidates are located in rural and public schools which lack the required facilities, including functional computers, stable internet, constant electricity (either grid or generator), and qualified ICT teachers.
The House differentiated WASSCE from other CBT exams like the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) exams. Wogu argued that WASSCE candidates are required to write at least nine subjects, encompassing practicals, objectives, and theory, making the transition far more complex and risky.
The motion stated that the Ministry of Education intended to proceed with the digital format despite objections from the National Union of Teachers (NUT) and heads of schools.
The House argues that while modernization is necessary, it must not be pursued at the expense of students’ futures. The four-year delay is seen as a necessary safeguard to bridge the technological gap between urban and rural schools.
WAEC and the Ministry of Education have argued that the digital transition is necessary to curb examination malpractice, promote efficiency, and align Nigeria’s education system with global standards, citing a successful partial rollout for private candidates in 2024.
The House has mandated its relevant committees to interface with all stakeholders in the education and technology sectors and submit a comprehensive report within four weeks to guide the infrastructural and legislative steps needed to ensure a fair and equitable transition by the 2030 deadline.
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