REPS URGE WAEC, EDUCATION MINISTRY TO SUSPEND 2026 COMPUTER-BASED EXAMS OVER INFRASTRUCTURE GAPS
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By Aishat Momoh. O
The House of Representatives has called on 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 school examinations, citing inadequate infrastructure and manpower across schools, especially in rural areas.
The resolution followed the adoption of a motion of urgent public importance sponsored by Rep. Kelechi Wogu, titled “Need for Intervention to Avert the Pending Massive Failure of Candidates Intending to Write the 2026 WAEC Examination Using Computer-Based Testing (CBT), Capable of Causing Depression and Deaths of Students,” at Thursday’s plenary session.
WAEC, with the support of the Federal Government, had earlier announced plans to conduct the 2026 May/June examination using computers, following a partial rollout for private candidates in 2024.
However, lawmakers urged the Ministry of Education and state governments to include provisions in their 2026 to 2029 budgets for the recruitment of computer teachers, construction of computer halls with internet connectivity, provision of standby generators, and assessment of schools’ readiness before the full CBT implementation in 2030.
Leading the debate, Rep. Wogu emphasised that WAEC examinations determine students’ eligibility for higher education and that most tertiary institutions require at least five credits including English and Mathematics for admission.
He recalled that the 2025 WAEC result portal had experienced “technical glitches,” which caused distress among candidates, warning that such issues could worsen under an unprepared digital system.
The lawmaker expressed concern that, despite resistance from the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) and heads of schools especially those in rural areas where over 70 per cent of students reside the Ministry of Education remained determined to proceed with the 2026 CBT rollout.
“Computer-based examinations require fully equipped halls with functional computers, internet access, and constant electricity either from the national grid or standby generators,” Wogu noted.
He pointed out that about 25,500 schools nationwide are expected to present candidates for the 2026 WAEC exams, which will run concurrently for four months, from March to July, yet many lack the required facilities and qualified ICT teachers.
Wogu further argued that, unlike the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), WAEC candidates sit for at least nine subjects, including practicals and theory papers, making an immediate switch to CBT unrealistic.
He warned that rushing the transition could lead to massive failure, frustration, depression, and social vices among students, recommending instead a minimum of three years of preparation before nationwide implementation in the 2029–2030 academic session.
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 relevant stakeholders in the education and technology sectors and report back within four weeks.
Meanwhile, an earlier report stated that WAEC had intensified its sensitisation campaign for full CBT deployment under the slogan “CB-WASSCE: New Way, Same Destination.” The examination body maintained that the partial rollout in 2024 had achieved “significant progress” and would be scaled up nationwide ahead of the 2026 examination.
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