Lawmakers in the National Assembly have cautioned the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) to proceed carefully with its planned introduction of Computer-Based Testing (CBT) for the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE), warning that any glitch in the 2026 rollout could jeopardise the future of millions of Nigerian students.
WAEC had earlier assured that the new system would be accessible nationwide, regardless of location or access to technology. Head of WAEC’s National Office, Dr. Amos Dangut, pledged in Abuja during a sensitization session with members of the National Assembly Committees on Education, noting that the phased implementation would begin with objective questions before expanding to theory and practical components.
While commending the initiative, senators and representatives raised concerns about uneven access to technology, infrastructural gaps, and low digital literacy in rural areas. Senator Ekong Sampson, Vice Chairman of the Senate Committee on Education (Basic and Secondary), warned that rushing the transition could “create more problems than it solves.”
Senator Victor Umeh stressed the need for fairness and inclusivity, urging WAEC to consider a hybrid model combining CBT with traditional paper-based exams to avoid disadvantaging students without adequate computer skills. “We must prepare adequately to ensure the application delivers a positive outcome,” he said.
Similarly, House member Oboku Oforji (Bayelsa State) called for “proper groundwork,” including the establishment of at least one fully functional CBT centre in each of Nigeria’s 774 local government areas. Other lawmakers suggested piloting the system in urban areas with reliable infrastructure before expanding nationwide.
In response, Dr. Dangut reassured the legislators that WAEC was committed to equity, transparency, and fairness, adding that centres were being mapped across all local governments to reduce costs for parents.
He emphasised that CBT would curb malpractice, speed up results processing, and strengthen exam credibility.
Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, also pledged that “no child will be left behind in this digital transition.” Education stakeholders, including principals and private school proprietors, expressed support for the initiative but underscored the need for adequate preparation and infrastructure.
Lawmakers concluded that while digital transformation in education is inevitable, WAEC and the Ministry of Education must adopt a cautious, inclusive approach to avoid glitches, marginalization, and public backlash.
(Agency Report)
