The House of Representatives has called on the Federal Government to suspend the planned introduction of Computer-Based Testing (CBT) for the 2026 West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) by the West African Examinations Council (WAEC).
The House warned that the move could lead to massive failure, psychological distress, and other adverse consequences for millions of candidates across the country.
The resolution followed the adoption of a motion of urgent public importance moved on Thursday by Hon. Kelechi Nwogu (PDP, Abia), who described the initiative as a looming national educational crisis that requires immediate intervention.
Nwogu acknowledged that while the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has successfully implemented CBT for university entrance examinations, most Nigerian secondary schools lack the infrastructure and resources to support such a transition for WASSCE.
He noted that millions of students, especially those in rural communities, do not have access to functional computers, stable electricity, or reliable internet connectivity, all of which are essential for computer-based assessments.
“Most of the over 25,500 secondary schools in Nigeria, particularly in rural areas, have no functional computers or qualified computer teachers. Many students have never used a computer before, yet they are expected to sit for up to nine subjects, including theory and practical exams, through CBT,” Nwogu said.
He cautioned that the abrupt implementation of CBT could result in widespread failure and increased psychological stress among students, potentially leading to depression, frustration, and social vices such as drug abuse.
Nwogu also cited strong opposition from the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) and principals of secondary schools nationwide, who insist that the majority of schools are not technologically ready for such an examination format.
The lawmaker proposed that WAEC and the Federal Ministry of Education defer the introduction of CBT until at least the 2029–2030 academic session to allow sufficient time for infrastructure development, teacher training, and ICT capacity building.
He urged the Federal Government to prioritise the provision of computers, internet access, and standby electricity generators in schools, alongside the recruitment of qualified computer instructors, to ensure equitable access to technology-enabled learning.
Following deliberations, the House directed WAEC and the Ministry of Education to immediately suspend plans to implement CBT in 2026. It also called on the government to make provisions in the 2026 budget for the recruitment of computer teachers, the construction of ICT-compliant examination halls, and the installation of backup power and internet facilities in schools.
Speaker Abbas Tajudeen, who presided over the session, put the motion to a voice vote, and it was unanimously adopted without debate.
The House further mandated its Committees on Basic Examination Bodies, Digital and Information Technology, Basic Education and Services, and Labour, Employment and Productivity to engage stakeholders and report back within four weeks with recommendations for further legislative action.
WAEC had earlier announced its intention to adopt CBT for all WASSCE subjects beginning with the 2026 examination cycle, citing goals of modernising assessments, curbing examination malpractice, and improving result processing speed.
However, education experts have long questioned the feasibility of such a plan given the uneven adoption of ICT infrastructure across Nigerian schools. Data from the Federal Ministry of Education indicate that less than 30 percent of public secondary schools nationwide have adequate computer facilities, with internet connectivity remaining unreliable, particularly outside major urban centres.
The House’s latest resolution adds to ongoing national efforts to balance educational innovation with fairness and inclusivity, ensuring that no student is left disadvantaged by the pace of technological reform.
