Lawmakers in the National Assembly have cautioned the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) to tread carefully in its planned introduction of Computer-Based Testing (CBT) for the 2026 West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE), warning that any glitches could jeopardise the academic future of millions of Nigerian students.
WAEC had earlier assured that the new CBT format would be accessible to all candidates across Nigeria, regardless of location or access to technology. Head of the WAEC National Office, Dr. Amos Dangut, gave the assurance on Tuesday in Abuja during a sensitisation session with members of the National Assembly Committees on Education.
Dangut explained that the rollout would be phased, starting with multiple-choice questions before expanding to theory and practical components, to allow schools and candidates to adapt.
But lawmakers voiced deep concern about Nigeria’s uneven access to technology, poor infrastructure, and low levels of digital literacy among students, particularly in rural areas.
The Vice Chairman of the Senate Committee on Education (Basic and Secondary), Senator Ekong Sampson, cautioned that rushing the process could “create more problems than it solves.”
Senator Victor Umeh also underscored the importance of fairness and inclusivity. He said, “There will be a national outcry across the country over the exam. People who have completed secondary education are assumed to be knowledgeable enough to take it. They go and answer questions on the computer, and then a result is produced. If there’s a glitch, Nigeria must be very careful. Whatever we want to do, we must prepare adequately to ensure the application delivers a positive outcome.”
Umeh advised WAEC to initially combine CBT with the traditional paper-based format, stressing that students must not be disadvantaged due to their backgrounds. “Considering the large number of our children who will sit for the exam—more than those taking JAMB—those proposing this policy should seriously consider these issues. We must ensure our students are well-prepared,” he said.
In the House of Representatives, Oboku Oforji (Yenagoa/Kolokuma/Opokuma Federal Constituency, Bayelsa State) urged the government to establish at least one fully functional CBT centre in each of Nigeria’s 774 local government areas to ensure inclusivity. “Such centres would ensure fairness and accessibility, giving students in rural areas the same opportunities as their urban counterparts,” he added.
Oforji further disclosed that the Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, is scheduled to appear before the House Committee on Basic Education to present WAEC’s implementation strategy and infrastructural provisions.
Other lawmakers recommended piloting the CBT exams first in urban centres with reliable electricity, internet access, and computer facilities before extending nationwide.
In response, Dr. Dangut reassured the lawmakers that WAEC was committed to equity, transparency, and fairness. He noted that CBT centres were being mapped out in every local government area to reduce travel costs and burdens on parents. He added that the CBT model would curb examination malpractice, speed up result processing, and enhance credibility.
Minister of Education, Dr. Alausa, also assured parents, teachers, and students that “no child will be left behind in this digital transition.”
Stakeholders in the education sector echoed similar views. The National President of the All Nigeria Confederation of Principals of Public Schools, Muhammad Musa, and the National President of the National Association of Proprietors of Private Schools, Dr. Samira Jibir, welcomed the innovation but stressed that adequate preparation and infrastructure were critical for success.
Lawmakers concluded that while digital transformation in education is necessary and inevitable, WAEC and the Ministry of Education must prioritise inclusivity and preparation to avoid a rushed rollout that could marginalise rural students and trigger nationwide discontent.