By Peter.
In a fiery plenary session today (November 13, 2025), the House of Representatives unanimously ordered the Federal Ministry of Education and WAEC to immediately suspend the controversial shift to Computer-Based Testing (CBT) for the 2026 WASSCE—warning it could spark widespread exam flops, teen depression, and even deaths among Nigeria’s 1.5M+ candidates.
The explosive resolution stemmed from a motion of urgent public importance by Rep. Kelechi Wogu (PDP, Etche/Omuma Federal Constituency, Rivers State), titled “Need for Intervention to Avert Pending Massive Failure of Candidates… Capable of Causing Depression and Deaths of Students.” Wogu blasted the rushed pivot, citing 2025 WAEC portal crashes that left thousands in limbo and 70%+ rural students woefully unequipped.
“WAEC demands 9 subjects—including hands-on practicals—unlike JAMB’s simpler setup. Without computers, steady power, internet, and trained teachers, this is a recipe for catastrophe in our 25,500 schools, especially remote ones,” Wogu thundered, echoing outcries from the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) and principals nationwide.
Key House Directives: No More Rushed Reforms!
- Immediate CBT Freeze: Halt 2026 launch with immediate effect—defer to 2030 at earliest, post-3-year nationwide readiness audit.
- Budget Blitz (2026–2029): Mandate funding for hiring computer teachers, building ICT halls with internet, installing standby generators, and vetting private schools’ compliance—in partnership with states.
- Oversight Overdrive: Committees on Basic Examination Bodies, Digital/IT, Basic Education, and Labour/Employment to grill stakeholders (WAEC, Ministry, tech firms) and report back in 4 weeks.
This isn’t lawmakers’ first rodeo—earlier probes slammed WAEC’s 2025 exam chaos (leaks, torchlit night tests) and mocked their “fantasy” CBT claims, demanding audits amid fears of a JAMB-style glitch nightmare on steroids. Critics like Rep. Chinedu Ogah (Ikwo/Ezza South, Ebonyi) had warned back in May: “Science practicals on computers? This is sabotage!”—while parents’ groups like NAPTAN called the 2026 deadline “unrealistic” given zero CBT centers in most of Nigeria’s 774 LGAs.
WAEC’s Dr. Amos Dangut had hyped the shift as a “credibility booster” to curb malpractices, vowing nationwide centers by 2026—but faced backlash after pledging “full support” flipped to fury over infra gaps. Education Minister Tunji Alausa is now cornered: FG’s “no U-turn” mantra from July (aligning WAEC/NECO with JAMB) is crumbling under rural realities.
Stakeholders are split: Tech advocates cheer modernization for “digital skills,” but rural voices fear a “digital divide disaster” marginalizing millions. As one X user fumed (trending #WAECCBTFail): “From pen-paper to power outage—WAEC wants to fail us all!”
The House’s move signals a broader push for evidence-based ed reforms—no more “motion without movement.” Will WAEC comply, or fight back? Stay tuned—students’ futures hang in the balance.
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