By Atoyebi Nike
The House of Representatives has urged the Federal Ministry of Education and the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) to suspend plans to introduce Computer-Based Testing (CBT) for the 2026 school examinations.
Lawmakers said the decision was necessary to avert a potential “massive failure” among students, particularly those in rural areas where schools lack the infrastructure and technical capacity to conduct computer-based exams.
WAEC had earlier announced plans to conduct the 2026 May/June examinations using computers, after a partial rollout for private candidates in 2024.
However, following a motion of urgent public importance moved by Rep. Kelechi Wogu during Thursday’s plenary, the House resolved that the Ministry of Education and state governments should instead make adequate provisions in their 2026 to 2029 budgets to prepare schools for the transition.
These provisions include the recruitment of computer teachers, construction of computer halls with internet access, installation of standby generators, and evaluation of private schools’ readiness ahead of full implementation by 2030.
Rep. Wogu, while presenting the motion titled “Need for Intervention to Avert the Pending Massive Failure of Candidates Intending to Write the 2026 WAEC Examination Using Computer-Based Testing (CBT), Capable of Causing Depression and Deaths of Students,” noted that most schools are ill-equipped for such a shift.
He cited the 2025 WAEC portal outage, which caused distress among candidates, and warned that premature adoption of CBT could lead to widespread failure, frustration, and social consequences among students.
Wogu also pointed out that over 25,000 schools nationwide are expected to participate in the 2026 exams, with most lacking computers, reliable electricity, or qualified teachers to handle digital testing.
The House mandated its Committees on Basic Examination Bodies, Digital and Information Technology, Basic Education and Services, and Labour, Employment and Productivity to engage with stakeholders and report back within four weeks.
Meanwhile, WAEC has maintained that its partial rollout in 2024 achieved “significant progress” and that it plans to scale up the initiative nationwide under the slogan “CB-WASSCE: New Way, Same Destination.”
