The House of Representatives has ordered the Federal Ministry of Education and the West African Examinations Council to suspend the planned introduction of Computer-Based Testing for the 2026 West African Senior School Certificate Examination, shifting full implementation to the 2030 academic year.
The resolution followed the adoption of a motion of urgent public importance moved by Kelechi Wogu during Thursday’s plenary. His motion, titled “Need for Intervention to Avert Massive Failure in the Proposed 2026 WAEC Computer-Based Examination,” warned that rushing students into digital examinations could lead to widespread failure, frustration, and mental distress.
ALSO READ:WAEC: You no longer need mathematics, FG tells art students
Wogu noted that despite loud objections from the National Union of Teachers and heads of schools especially those in rural areas where over 70 per cent of candidates reside the Ministry of Education appeared determined to proceed with the 2026 rollout.
According to him, most schools outside major cities lack the basic infrastructure needed to support CBT, including functional computer laboratories, trained ICT teachers, reliable electricity, and uninterrupted internet access.
He also referenced the technical glitches that disrupted the 2025 WAEC results portal as clear evidence of unpreparedness.
“The computer-based system requires well-equipped halls with functional computers, stable internet, and constant power supply. Many schools are simply not ready for that level of transition,” he said.
To address the glaring gaps, the House directed the Ministry of Education and state governments to include in their 2026–2029 budgets provisions for the recruitment of computer teachers, construction of ICT halls, installation of internet facilities, and procurement of backup power systems.
Beyond halting the 2026 plan, the House resolved that WAEC’s full CBT rollout should not occur before 2030.
The motion was unanimously adopted, with the House mandating its Committees on Basic Education, Digital and Information Technology, Examination Bodies, and Labour to engage stakeholders and report back within four weeks.
WAEC began pushing for full digital examinations in 2024 as part of efforts to curb exam malpractice and modernise Nigeria’s assessment system following the path of JAMB, which successfully transitioned to full CBT in 2015. Since then, other bodies like NECO and NABTEB have piloted limited CBT models.
However, poor digital infrastructure, unstable power supply, weak internet connectivity, and a shortage of functional computers especially in public and rural schools remain critical challenges.
In September, WAEC listed key requirements for schools ahead of the 2026 transition, including 250 functional laptops with 10 per cent backups, a server capable of supporting the systems, LAN setup, CCTV cameras, air conditioning, and a 40kVA generator.
But the House says the reality on the ground shows that most schools are far from meeting these standards.
The directive is expected to pave the way for a more gradual, infrastructure-driven approach to digital examinations across the country.