REPS SUSPEND PLANNED COMPUTER-BASED WAEC EXAMS FOR 2026

REPS SUSPEND PLANNED COMPUTER-BASED WAEC EXAMS FOR 2026

The House of Representatives has ordered the immediate suspension of the proposed Computer-Based Test (CBT) system for the 2026 West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE).

This resolution followed the adoption of a motion sponsored by Hon. Kelechi Nwogu from Rivers State during Tuesday’s plenary session.

According to Nwogu, there is an urgent need to prevent what could lead to mass failure, psychological distress, or even depression among candidates, especially those in rural areas who may lack access to adequate computer facilities.

The House noted that despite the concerns raised by the Nigerian Union of Teachers (NUT) and Heads of Public and Private Schools, the Federal Ministry of Education and the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) appeared determined to proceed with the CBT initiative.

Lawmakers observed that effective implementation of CBT requires adequate infrastructure, including equipped halls, reliable internet connection, and steady electricity supply, all of which remain inadequate across most schools nationwide.

Consequently, the House directed the Federal Ministry of Education to suspend the policy and to make budgetary provisions for the development of CBT infrastructure in the 2026–2029 national budgets, with full implementation projected for 2030.

Earlier, Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa (CON), had described the planned shift to CBT as a major reform aimed at improving examination integrity, reducing malpractice, and aligning Nigeria’s education assessment with global best practices.

However, following the House’s directive, the policy’s implementation has now been put on hold pending further review and infrastructural readiness.