In a major development, Nigeria’s House of Representatives has directed the Federal Ministry of Education and WAEC to suspend the transition to computer‑based testing (CBT) for the 2026 West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE). The directive signals a significant delay—no CBT will be introduced until at least 2030
The decision followed a motion of urgent public importance raised by Kelechi Wogu, which expressed grave concern about students’ readiness. He raised low infrastructure levels, especially in rural areas, pointing out that many schools lack computers, reliable electricity, and qualified tech teachers.
Why the Delay?
WAEC is expected to run the 2026 exam across roughly 25,500 schools. With the four‑month examination window and the requirement to cover multiple subjects—including practicals—the House argued the shift to CBT could lead to mass failure, stress and “depression and deaths of students.”
As a result, the House asked the Ministry and state governments to allocate in upcoming budgets (2026‑2029) funds for:
- Recruiting computer teachers
- Building computer halls with internet access
- Installing standby generators
- Monitoring readiness of private schools
What This Means for Students and Schools
For many students, especially those in rural areas, this decision brings both relief and uncertainty. On one hand, the postponement gives schools more time to prepare and ensures fairness. On the other, the shift to CBT is still looming—schools and students must use this window to catch up.
Moving Forward
Legislative committees on exams, information technology, basic education and labour have been mandated to engage all stakeholders and report back within four weeks. As the countdown to a future 2030 CBT rollout begins, the education sector is now in a critical phase of transformation.
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