N’Assembly Warns WAEC Over Planned CBT Exams
Lawmakers in the National Assembly have advised the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) to proceed with caution regarding its intended rollout of computer-based testing for the West African Senior School Certificate Examination, cautioning that any errors in the 2026 implementation could put millions of Nigerian students at risk.
WAEC previously assured that the new computer-based exams would be available to students throughout the country, regardless of their location or access to technology.
Dr. Amos Dangut, the head of the WAEC National Office, made this commitment on Tuesday in Abuja during a sensitization event for members of the National Assembly Committees on Education.
He stated that a phased implementation is already underway, starting with objective questions and later incorporating theory and practical elements, allowing schools and candidates to adjust.
However, numerous senators and House of Representatives members, while praising the initiative, voiced serious concerns regarding the inconsistent access to technology, ongoing infrastructure issues, and low digital literacy levels among students in rural areas.
Senator Ekong Sampson, Vice Chairman of the Senate Committee on Education (Basic and Secondary), cautioned that a hasty nationwide rollout could “create more problems than it solves.”
In a similar vein, Senator Victor Umeh highlighted the significance of fairness and inclusivity, warning that students should not be disadvantaged due to their backgrounds.
Umeh remarked, “There will be a national uproar over the exam. Individuals who have completed secondary education are expected to have the necessary knowledge to undertake it. They go and respond to questions on the computer, leading to a result. If there’s an issue, Nigeria must proceed with caution. We must adequately prepare whatever we intend to implement to ensure the application yields a favorable outcome.”
Umeh emphasized that WAEC should acknowledge the large candidate pool, proposing that initially, the CBT should be combined with the traditional method.
He noted, “Given the substantial number of our students who will take the exam—surpassing those sitting for JAMB—those advocating for this policy must seriously reflect on these matters. We must ensure our students are adequately prepared. Teachers should ready students for the exam so they are not sidelined after being educated, particularly if they lack computer skills. However, by providing them an option to blend the old system with the new one, those who are not sufficiently computer literate can opt to take their exams the traditional way.”
A member of the House of Representatives, Oboku Oforji (Yenagoa/Kolokuma/Opokuma Federal Constituency, Bayelsa State), also underscored the necessity for “proper groundwork” ahead of the 2026 deadline. He particularly called on the government to establish at least one operational CBT center in each of the 774 local government areas to address the digital gap.
“Such centers would promote inclusivity, fairness, and accessibility, offering students in rural regions equal opportunities as their urban peers,” Oforji remarked. He added that the Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, is scheduled to appear before the House Committee on Basic Education to present detailed insights on the implementation plan and infrastructural arrangements.
Other lawmakers present at the meeting shared similar apprehensions, suggesting that the program should first be trialed in cities where essential facilities such as electricity, internet connectivity, and reliable computer access exist before a nationwide extension.
In reply, Dr. Dangut assured the lawmakers that WAEC is dedicated to equity, transparency, and fairness. He mentioned that centers are being identified in every local government area to ease travel burdens and costs for parents.
He highlighted that the CBT model would assist in addressing malpractice, expedite the processing of results, and enhance the reliability of the examination system.
The Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, reassured parents, teachers, and students that “no child will be excluded from this digital transition.”
Education sector stakeholders echoed these sentiments. Muhammad Musa, the National President of the All Nigeria Confederation of Principals of Public Schools, along with Dr. Samira Jibir, the National President of the National Association of Proprietors of Private Schools, both expressed their support for the initiative while stressing the necessity of proper preparation and infrastructural backing for it to succeed.
Together, the lawmakers underscored that while the adoption of digital tools in education is essential and unavoidable, WAEC and the Ministry of Education should steer clear of a hasty nationwide implementation that could lead to technical issues, disadvantage rural students, and incite widespread dissatisfaction.
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