Members of Nigeria’s National Assembly have issued a pointed warning to the West African Examinations Council (WAEC), urging caution over plans to shift fully to Computer-Based Testing (CBT) for the 2026 West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE). Lawmakers cautioned that any technical failures could endanger the futures of millions of students.
In a sensitisation session held in Abuja, Dr. Amos Dangut, Head of WAEC’s National Office, reassured lawmakers that the transition will follow a phased approach—starting with objective questions before extending to theory and practical components—to enable a smoother adjustment for both schools and students.
Yet, members of the House of Representatives, through their Committee on Education, remain unconvinced. The group officially rejected the 2026 CBT plan, calling on the Education Minister, Dr. Tunji Alausa, to suspend the rollout due to persistent infrastructure and logistical challenges across the country.
Lawmakers emphasized that CBT should not proceed without robust preparatory groundwork, including comprehensive consultations like national education summits or conferences. They argued that WAEC currently lacks solid data on how many secondary schools possess the necessary facilities for CBT.
A vivid analogy was deployed: rolling out CBT nationwide without proper infrastructure is like being a skilled driver with a great car yet lacking a bridge to cross a river—highlighting Nigeria’s infrastructural mismatch.
One lawmaker harkened to the grounds reality in rural communities—students writing exams under torchlight as late as 11 p.m.—warning that such conditions severely undermined the credibility and fairness of national exams.
The House Committee further warned that rushing into CBT could inadvertently lower educational standards. Objective-only formats may overly simplify assessments, allowing unprepared candidates to obtain high marks—culminating in a system that “watering down” academic rigour.
In response, WAEC continues to push forward with cautious optimism. Dr. Dangut pointed to successful pilot CBT sessions since 2024 and expressed confidence in scaling up, while also highlighting support from both Senate and House leadership to expand CBT infrastructure across all 774 local government areas.
