The House of Representatives has directed the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) and the Federal Ministry of Education to halt the planned switch to Computer-Based Testing (CBT) for the 2026 West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE).
The directive, adopted through a motion of urgent public importance, calls for the transition to be delayed until the 2029-2030 academic session to ensure schools are fully prepared.
Lawmakers raising the issue pointed out that a large number of Nigerian schools, especially those in rural areas lack basic infrastructure such as functional computers, reliable internet and power supply, and trained ICT teachers needed to deliver CBT fairly.
During debate, one member, Kelechi Wogu, warned that rushing the transition could lead to mass failures, student frustration, depression and even social unrest.
The House’s resolution also instructed budget allocations starting in 2026 for training computer teachers nationwide, building purpose-built ICT labs, fitting schools with standby generators, and monitoring private schools for readiness. Schools are expected to receive these supports over the next four years before the full roll-out in 2030.
WAEC, which plans to begin CBT for WASSCE in 2026, has previously stated that the model offers benefits like faster results and better logistics, but the Board has not yet confirmed how the suspension order will be implemented or whether deep consultations with stakeholders will follow.