Nigeria Not Ready for 2026 CBT Exams — Lawmakers Raise Concerns Over Capacity
Federal lawmakers currently probing the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) over widespread irregularities in the 2025 Senior Secondary School Certificate Examination (SSCE) have ordered the examination body to suspend its plans to implement computer-based testing (CBT) in 2026.
During the inquiry, a committee member identified as Abia Nte questioned Amos Dangut, WAEC’s Nigeria head, stressing that the council should critically evaluate its preparedness before claiming it is equipped to roll out computer-based testing exams nationwide.
“I strongly advise that all factors be considered before asserting readiness for computer-based testing. A nationwide educational summit should be convened first. You don’t have clear data on secondary schools capable of hosting computer-based testing exams—many local governments have no schools with such facilities,” Nte emphasized.
He added, “Even if the education minister has directed a transition to computer-based testing, let him see for himself that Nigerians are not ready. Most schools are not equipped for it.”
The committee concluded that the current state of infrastructure in Nigeria does not support a smooth transition to computer-based testing for secondary school assessments.
Studies have consistently shown that most Nigerian public secondary schools do not have functional computer labs. Nigeria has over 23,500 secondary schools under its six-year education structure, but digital learning infrastructure remains grossly inadequate, especially in public and rural schools.
According to the Universal Basic Education Commission, 50% of public schools lack digital tools, while only 36% of the population uses the internet, and 78% of youths are digitally illiterate—a major barrier to effective computer-based testing implementation.
Digital Learning Plans Exist, But Gaps Persist
Although the federal government has introduced initiatives like the Nigeria Learning Passport (NLP) to bridge the digital divide, stakeholders argue that the country is far from ready for full-scale computer-based testing exams.
Interestingly, countries with advanced education systems are still cautious about going digital. For example, students in the United Kingdom still write their General Certificate of Secondary Education (GCSE) exams using paper. The Assessment and Qualifications Alliance (AQA) plans to begin digital assessments for only specific parts of certain subjects by 2026, with a full rollout not expected until 2030, pending approval.
This has left many Nigerian education experts questioning the urgency behind the proposed 2026 computer-based testing adoption, especially when more technologically advanced nations are taking a gradual approach.
Stakeholders Call for Caution and Gradual Integration
Nubi Achebo, Director of Academic Planning at the Nigerian University of Technology and Management (NUTM), shared concerns over the digital unpreparedness of many schools. He revealed that WAEC and NECO plan to partner with external computer-based testing centers to mitigate the lack of infrastructure—a move he believes should start with pilot testing to iron out challenges.
Similarly, Friday Erhabor, Director of Media at Marklenez Limited, applauded the lawmakers’ intervention. He argued that Nigeria not only lacks the digital capacity for computer-based testing but also doesn’t necessarily need it yet.
“WAEC and NECO should stick to their traditional methods, which allow for deeper assessment of students’ writing and reasoning skills. Instead, they should consider adding new subjects like ICT, entrepreneurship, and financial literacy at the O-level,” Erhabor said.
On her part, Jessica Osuere, CEO of RubbiesHub Educational Services, supported the lawmakers’ stance, pointing out that most rural schools lack electricity, computers, and reliable internet—basic requirements for computer-based testing implementation.
CBT Is a Good Idea, But Not for 2026—Experts Say
Despite the growing opposition, some voices still believe in CBT’s potential. Dr. Stanley Alaubi, a senior lecturer at the University of Port Harcourt, argued that Nigeria is capable of running CBT exams, but its people and systems are not yet aligned with the necessary reforms.
“The nation has the potential to implement CBT, but leadership decisions are holding us back. If the right people were in place, we wouldn’t be facing these setbacks,” Alaubi said.
The federal government recently announced plans to transition WAEC and NECO exams to CBT formats by 2026, with Education Minister Tunji Alausa stating that CBT would help reduce exam malpractice and improve the credibility of Nigeria’s assessment system.
Conclusion
While the government’s move to digitize national exams is commendable, experts, educators, and lawmakers agree: the road to computer-based testing must be paved with caution, planning, and infrastructure development. Without these, any premature rollout may do more harm than good to Nigeria’s already fragile education system.
Join the Conversation: Is Nigeria Ready for CBT Exams?
What’s your take on the proposed 2026 computer-based testing for WAEC and NECO? Should we wait or dive in now?
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