The House of Representatives has ordered the Federal Ministry of Education and the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) to immediately suspend plans to introduce Computer-Based Tests (CBT) for the 2026 Senior Secondary School Certificate Examination (SSSCE).
The resolution was reached during plenary on Thursday, November 13, after lawmakers adopted a motion of urgent public importance titled:
“Need for intervention to avert the pending massive failure of candidates intending to write the 2026 West African Examination Council work using computer-based examinations (CBT) capable of causing depression and deaths of students,” sponsored by Kelechi Wogu (PDP, Rivers).
The House further directed the Federal Ministry of Education to work with all state governments to ensure that the recruitment of computer teachers, construction of ICT halls with internet, and provision of standby power supply are captured in the 2026–2029 state budgets for every secondary school.
Private schools were also included in the directive, with lawmakers insisting that CBT-compliant facilities must be in place before full implementation begins in 2030.
While moving the motion, Wogu noted that WAEC conducts key qualification exams required for entry into higher education, where students must secure at least five credits, including English and Mathematics. He also raised concerns that the current WAEC result portal had been shut down due to technical glitches, causing distress to students and parents.
Wogu warned that despite objections from the NUT, school heads, and education stakeholders—especially in rural areas where over 70% of Nigerian students live—the Ministry still insisted that the 2026 CBT rollout would proceed.
He stressed that CBT requires fully equipped ICT centres, reliable internet, trained teachers, and uninterrupted power, which many schools lack. Out of the 25,500 schools that present candidates for WAEC annually, he said, “a vast majority, especially in rural communities, do not have working computers, trained computer teachers, or experience with digital testing.”
Unlike JAMB, he added, WAEC candidates take a minimum of nine subjects, including practicals, objectives, and theory, making rapid migration to CBT unrealistic.
Wogu cautioned that forcing the policy now could result in “massive failure, increased frustration, depression, drug abuse, and other negative social consequences.”
He recommended a minimum three-year preparation period, shifting full CBT implementation to the 2029–2030 academic session. The House agreed and unanimously adopted the motion.
The Green Chamber then 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 for further legislative action.
