The House of Representatives has directed the Federal Ministry of Education and the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) to postpone the planned implementation of computer-based testing for the 2026 West African Senior School Certificate Examination, WASSCE.
The instruction followed the acceptance of Kelechi Wogu’s resolution of urgent public concern during Thursday’s plenary session.
His motion read as follows: “Need for Intervention to Avert Massive Failure in the Proposed 2026 WAEC Computer-Based Examination.”
The congressman warned that hurrying to implement the CBT paradigm could result in widespread failure, frustration, and emotional discomfort among pupils.
Wogu voiced worry that despite opposition from the National Union of Teachers and school administrators, particularly those in rural areas where over 70% of candidates reside, the Ministry of Education was adamant about moving forward with the digital test format.
He pointed out that the majority of schools, especially those outside of urban areas, lack stable electricity, internet connection, working computer labs, and qualified ICT teachers.
He emphasized that implementing CBT under such circumstances would be devastating, pointing to the 2025 WAEC results portal’s technological issues as proof of lack of preparation.
“The computer-based system requires well-equipped halls with functional computers, stable internet, and a constant power supply. Many schools are simply not ready for that level of transition,” he said.
The House instructed the Ministry of Education, working with state governments, to incorporate provisions for hiring computer teachers, building ICT halls, installing internet facilities, and supplying backup power sources in their 2026–2029 budgets in order to address these issues.
The House also decided that the CBT system shouldn’t be put into place prior to the 2030 school year.
The House unanimously approved the proposal, which required its Committees on Labor, Digital and Information Technology, Basic Education, and Examination Bodies to consult pertinent parties and report back within four weeks for additional legislative action.
In Nigeria, the CBT was used in part to modernize the country’s educational system and to combat the persistent instances of exam misconduct.
The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board successfully administered the first totally computer-based Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination in 2015 after pioneering the use of CBT in 2013.
Since then, CBT has been progressively deployed in limited or pilot formats by various examination authorities, including the National Examinations Council and the National Business and Technical Examinations Board.
Inadequate digital infrastructure, erratic power supplies, poor internet connectivity, and restricted access to working computers—particularly in rural and public schools—remain obstacles despite these efforts.
The West African Examinations Council declared in 2024 that CBT would be used for the West African Senior School Certificate Examination beginning in 2026.
The announcement sparked a lot of discussion. The majority of schools, particularly those in rural areas, lack the infrastructure and the staff needed to facilitate the shift, which has alarmed educators, parents, and education unions.
However, proponents of the idea contend that digital exams will boost efficiency, increase transparency, and make Nigeria more competitive in the global education market.
A strong computer server that can support 250 systems at once, a Local Area Network configuration, and 250 working laptops with 10% backups were identified by WAEC in September as essential infrastructure that schools must supply prior to the complete transition to CBT in 2026.
CCTV cameras, a holding room or reception area for candidates, a backup generator with a minimum capacity of 40 kVA, working air conditioners and lighting, and a continuous electrical supply are additional requirements.
