The House of Representatives has urged the Federal Government to halt plans by the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) to introduce Computer-Based Testing (CBT) for the 2026 West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE).
The lawmakers warned that the move could lead to widespread academic failure, psychological distress, and even fatalities among students.
The decision followed the adoption of a motion of urgent public importance presented by Hon. Kelechi Nworgu on Thursday.
He called for immediate intervention to avert what he described as an impending crisis in the nation’s education system.
Speaking on the motion, Nworgu acknowledged that while CBT has been successfully used by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), the current condition of most secondary schools in Nigeria makes such a shift premature for WAEC exams in 2026.
He stressed that the Ministry of Education’s plan to conduct the 2026 WASSCE via CBT, despite objections from the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) and school principals, would disadvantage millions of students, particularly those in rural communities without computers, stable electricity, or internet connectivity.
“Most of the over 25,500 schools across the country, especially in rural areas, do not have functional computers or qualified computer teachers. Many students have never used a computer before, yet they are being compelled to take up to nine subjects, including theory and practical exams, through CBT,” Nworgu said.
The lawmaker warned that the initiative is being rushed without adequate groundwork, cautioning that its fallout could be severe, potentially resulting in mass failure, frustration, drug abuse, and other social ills among young people.
He recommended that WAEC and the Ministry of Education postpone the CBT rollout for at least three years, suggesting a more feasible implementation period around the 2029–2030 academic session, after proper infrastructure and training have been established.
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