The House of Representatives has called for a pause in Nigeria’s plan to introduce Computer-Based Testing, or CBT, for the 2026 WASSCE exams. The lawmakers say the country is not yet ready for such a major shift in how students take their exams.
CBT was first introduced by WAEC in Nigeria as a way to modernize examinations, improve efficiency, and reduce examination malpractice. Other countries in West Africa, such as Ghana and Sierra Leone, have successfully adopted computer-based exams in recent years, prompting Nigeria to follow suit.
However, concerns have emerged over inadequate preparation, poor infrastructure, and the risk of widespread failure if CBT is rolled out too quickly. In response, the House has directed the Federal Ministry of Education and WAEC to suspend CBT until 2030, giving schools, students, and teachers ample time to prepare.
Lawmakers also urged the Ministry and state governments to allocate funds in the 2026 to 2029 budgets. These funds would cover the recruitment of computer teachers, the construction of computer halls with internet access, standby generators, and assessments of private schools’ readiness for CBT.
The resolution follows a motion of urgent public importance, emphasizing that student welfare should remain a top priority in any educational reform.
The House of Representatives is pressing for a careful and well-prepared shift to computer-based exams. The goal is to ensure that when CBT is finally implemented in 2030, students, schools, and teachers are fully ready to embrace a modern, reliable, and efficient examination system.
