Senate Questions WAEC Minister Over New SSCE Guidelines

On Tuesday, the Senate questioned Dr. Tunji Alausa, the Minister of Education, and Dr. Amos Dangut, the Head of the National Office of the West African Examinations Council (WAEC), regarding the new guidelines that the examination body has introduced for candidates taking the 2025/2026 Senior Secondary Certificate Examination (SSCE).

The recommendations changed the topic requirements for SS3 students studying for the May/June exams in 2025/2026, according to a resolution submitted by Senator Sunday Karimi (APC-Kogi West).

Karimi voiced worry that the abrupt adjustments would result in a mass failure the following year since applicants would have to take exams for which they were ill-prepared.

Although the modifications may be progressive, senators participating in the debate pointed out that the timing would put the candidates under unfair pressure.

In order to give students enough time to study, they suggested that the 2025–2026 SSCE candidates be excluded from the revised criteria and that the changes begin with the 2027–2028 exams.

Senator Adams Oshiomhole (APC-Edo North) warned against applying the new rules to the current SS3 class in his contribution.

“We have an idea when we wake up and start putting it into practice. When a new topic is introduced, citizens should be informed so they can get ready. Do we have enough educators? Are the labs ready? There is no proof of that.

He stated, “We don’t have to plan in a way that will embarrass us.”

Additionally, Senator Idiat Adebule (APC-Lagos West) stated that although she was in favor of the motion, a full investigation should be conducted.

She claims that decisions of this kind are often made by the National Council on Education, which is made up of education commissioners from all 36 states.

Senator Adeola Olamilekan (APC-Ogun West), the chairman of the Senate Committee on Appropriations, contended that in order to avoid widespread failure, students must first receive adequate instruction.

Before being tested on the new courses by WAEC, students must have prior knowledge of them. Thus, the Minister of Education needs to respond to some inquiries,” he continued.

Before the discussion ended, Senate President Godswill Akpabio questioned the withdrawal of Computer Studies and Civic Education from the list of topics.

“Everything is becoming digital. So why are we eliminating civic education and computer studies? Both their national anthem and their civic duties to their country must be taught to the kids.

Before the discussion ended, Senate President Godswill Akpabio questioned the withdrawal of Computer Studies and Civic Education from the list of topics.

“Everything is becoming digital. So why are we eliminating civic education and computer studies? Both their national anthem and their civic duties to their country must be taught to the kids.

“In any event, we ought to carry out a thorough investigation to ensure that this information is even accurate,” Akpabio stated.

The Senate Committee on Basic and Secondary Education was tasked with reviewing the issue and reporting back to the session in two weeks.