In a surprising reversal, Nigeria’s House of Representatives has directed the Federal Ministry of Education and the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) to suspend the planned switch to Computer-Based Testing (CBT) for the 2026 West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE). The lawmakers have now set a target date of 2030 for full implementation.
The decision follows the adoption of a motion of urgent public importance raised by Rep. Kelechi Wogu (PDP-Rivers), which warned of a “pending massive failure” among students if the transition to digital exams proceeds too quickly.
Wogu expressed concern that many Nigerian schools — especially in rural areas — are not prepared for the shift, citing a lack of computers, trained ICT teachers, reliable internet connectivity, and steady electricity.
In moving the motion, Wogu also referenced the 2025 WAEC result portal outage, describing it as a sign that WAEC might not be ready to scale up CBT.
He argued that unlike JAMB exams, WAEC candidates typically take nine or more subjects, including practical and theoretical papers — a complexity that demands more robust infrastructure and longer preparation time.
The House resolution goes further by instructing the Ministry of Education to ensure that the 2026, 2027, 2028, and 2029 national budgets make provision for: the recruitment of computer teachers, construction of ICT-equipped computer labs, installation of standby generators, and monitoring of school readiness for CBT.
Lawmakers also urged collaboration with state governments and private schools to build the necessary infrastructure before the proposed 2030 rollout.
Some members raised the spectre of severe consequences if CBT is rushed, warning that a mismanaged rollout could lead to high failure rates, heightened student anxiety, and even social problems such as depression and substance abuse.
WAEC and the Ministry of Education have not publicly challenged it yet. Earlier in 2025, both bodies had committed to a full CBT transition by 2026 — an ambition reiterated by Education Minister Tunji Alausa, who said the digital model would help curb widespread examination malpractice.
