The House of Representatives has urged the Federal Government to halt 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 the move, if implemented, could trigger widespread failure, psychological distress, and even fatalities among students ill-equipped for the digital transition.
The resolution followed a motion of urgent public importance sponsored by Hon. Kelechi Nworgu on Thursday, who cautioned that adopting CBT without adequate preparation could spark a major educational crisis.
Nworgu noted that unlike the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), which has successfully adopted CBT, most secondary schools in Nigeria lack the infrastructure and capacity to support such examinations.
He stressed that many schools, especially in rural communities, have no access to functional computers, electricity, or internet services, making the plan premature and unrealistic.
“Over 25,500 schools across the country lack essential digital facilities, and many students have never used a computer before, yet they are expected to take nine subjects, including theory and practicals—via CBT,” he said.
The lawmaker described the proposal as hasty and warned it could lead to mass failure, depression, and social unrest among young people.
He urged the Ministry of Education and WAEC to postpone the plan for at least three years, suggesting a gradual transition beginning around 2029 or 2030, after necessary preparations are completed.
Following deliberation, the House directed WAEC and the Ministry of Education to immediately suspend the CBT plan and called for increased investment in ICT infrastructure, including recruitment of computer teachers, establishment of computer halls with internet access, and provision of standby power in schools starting from the 2026 budget.
The House also tasked its Committees on Basic Examination Bodies, Digital and Information Technology, Basic Education and Services, and Labour, Employment and Productivity to liaise with key stakeholders and report back within four weeks.