Reps Query WAEC Over Removal of Civic, Computer Studies

The House of Representatives has called on the Federal Government, through the Ministry of Education, to reconsider the decision to eliminate Civic Education, Computer Studies, and Electrical Installation, among other subjects, from the West African Examination Council (WAEC) portal, highlighting the importance of these subjects for the development of the nation.

This resolution was reached after a motion of urgent public importance was considered and adopted during Thursday’s plenary by Oboku Oforji, the representative for Yenagoa/Opokuma Federal Constituency in Bayelsa State.

In his remarks on the motion, Oforji acknowledged that while a review of the national curriculum is necessary from time to time, the subjects in question are essential components of contemporary economies worldwide.

He stated, “While recognizing the efforts to improve the national curriculum, the timing for this change is simply not appropriate.

“Vocational subjects, such as Data Processing, are among the most popular and widely taught subjects in numerous schools across the country due to their relevance in the job market and students’ interests.

“Computer Studies is nearly universally included in school curricula and is crucial for modern digital literacy, making its abrupt removal counterproductive at a time when the global landscape is shifting towards digitalization.

“Additionally, Civic Education, which was once a mandatory subject in all secondary schools, is no longer compulsory as students are only required to study it for two years.

“Why should Civic Education be eliminated from our curriculum when the primary focus of the National Orientation Agency is to inform citizens about their civic responsibilities as responsible members of Nigeria?”

Oforji criticized the decision to remove Computer Science, calling it insensitive, especially as “most of our examination bodies are transitioning to a computer-based testing format for administering their exams. How will students grasp the fundamentals under such circumstances? Students in SS3 have been consistently studying these subjects (Data Processing, Computer Studies, Civic Education, etc.) since SS1.”

He added, “The House is concerned that the elimination of three or more foundational subjects from the mandatory eight subjects limits students’ options and breaches the minimum requirement for the examination, which consists of eight subjects. This could leave students with only five subjects.

“We are also apprehensive that with the West African Senior School Certificate Examination just four months away, it is practically impossible for students to select and adequately prepare for new subjects they haven’t studied to satisfy the required eight subjects.

“The House is worried that thousands of students nationwide preparing for the 2026 WASSCE conducted by WAEC are currently experiencing distress and confusion. It is crucial that students in SS3, who are merely four months from their exams, are allowed to take the WASSCE in the subjects they have been studying since SS1,” adding that “the execution of this new curriculum should be reversed.”

The motion received support when put to a voice vote by Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu, who chaired the plenary session.

After the motion was adopted, the House urged the Federal Ministry of Education to urgently “reverse the implementation of the directive to ensure that students have a fair chance of succeeding in their examinations.”

The decision was made to establish a temporary committee to investigate the matter and ensure adherence.

On September 3, 2025, the Federal Government revealed a comprehensive reform of the national curriculum for primary and secondary education. In the new framework, the government combined several existing subjects—such as Civic Education, Nigerian History, and Social Studies—into a single subject called Citizenship and Heritage Studies for senior secondary education.

The changes also aimed to decrease the number of subjects students are required to study at each level and to consolidate trade/vocational subjects (for non-technical schools) into a smaller, more specialized list.

As a result of these modifications, uncertainty emerged among students, parents, teachers, and various stakeholders regarding which subjects would be listed on the 2026 examination registration portal of WAEC. Rumors started to spread.