The House of Representatives has called on the Federal Government to immediately 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).
Lawmakers warned that rolling out the initiative without adequate preparation could lead to widespread failure, emotional distress, and even tragic consequences among students.
The resolution followed a motion of urgent public importance sponsored by Hon. Kelechi Nworgu during Thursday’s plenary. He described the planned CBT implementation as “an impending educational crisis” and urged urgent government intervention.
Nworgu acknowledged that while the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has successfully used CBT for years, most Nigerian secondary schools are still far from ready for such a transition.
He noted that the Federal Ministry of Education’s plan to conduct the 2026 WASSCE through CBT ignored serious concerns raised by the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) and school principals. According to him, millions of students—especially those in rural areas—would be unfairly disadvantaged due to the lack of computers, stable electricity, and internet access.
“Most of the over 25,500 schools in Nigeria, particularly in rural communities, have neither functional computers nor qualified computer teachers. Many students have never even used a computer before, yet they are expected to sit for up to nine subjects, including theory and practical papers, via CBT,” Nworgu stated.
He cautioned that rushing the policy could trigger large-scale failure, frustration, and social problems such as drug abuse and depression among young people.
The lawmaker proposed that WAEC and the Ministry of Education should postpone the CBT rollout by at least three years by targeting a more realistic implementation around the 2029–2030 academic session, after necessary infrastructure and teacher training have been adequately provided.
Following deliberations, the House resolved that WAEC and the Ministry of Education should suspend the planned CBT system for now. It further urged the Federal Government to include in the 2026 budget provisions for recruiting computer science teachers, building ICT laboratories with internet connectivity, and providing backup power supply in schools nationwide.
The House also mandated its Committees on Basic Examination Bodies, Digital and Information Technology, Basic Education and Services, and Labour, Employment, and Productivity to interface with key stakeholders in education and technology. The committees are expected to submit a report within four weeks to guide further legislative action.
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