The West African Examinations Council (WAEC) has clarified that it plans to migrate the West African Senior School Certificate Examinations (WASSCE) to computer-based exams (CBE) remains on course, despite media reports suggesting the House of Representatives had resolved to suspend the initiative.
Dr. Amos Dangut, Head of WAEC’s Nigeria National Office (HNO), made the announcement after the 63rd Nigeria National Council meeting in Umuahia, Abia State.
“As we speak, we are only hearing that there is a discourse at the National Assembly. We have searched and found no formal communication,” Dangut said. “WAEC is a structured organisation; we act only on official directives. Whenever any directive reaches us, we will consider it and take the decision that best promotes learning and sustainable human development.”
He stressed that WAEC never announced that all schools would write the 2026 WASSCE using computers. The phased rollout will begin with pilot testing in schools with the necessary ICT facilities, while others will rely on community-based CBE centres.
A nationwide ICT-readiness review has classified schools into three tiers: those not ready for CBE, schools capable of handling only objective papers digitally, and schools able to conduct all papers — objective, essay, and practical — via computers. This framework will guide logistics and exam modalities for 2026.
Dangut also addressed concerns about curriculum revisions. Two new core subjects, Citizenship and Heritage Studies and Digital Technologies, will not be examined in 2026 and 2027, as their syllabuses are still under development. Students will take three core subjects — English Language, General Mathematics, and one trade subject — plus additional electives to meet the required minimum of eight and maximum of nine subjects.
The HNO confirmed that the federal government reduced trade subjects from 26 to six, some with new names but retaining existing curriculum content. For example, Horticulture and Crop Production is now an approved trade subject. He assured that students will not be restricted from choosing electives outside their primary field of study.
To ensure fairness, WAEC has extended the period for schools to upload Continuous Assessment Scores (CASS), allowing at least three assessments for students taking new subjects.
Dangut dismissed claims of inadequate consultation, noting that unions and key stakeholders, including the Nigerian Union of Teachers (NUT) and the All Nigeria Confederation of Principals of Secondary Schools (ANCOPSS), are actively involved in all council deliberations.
He encouraged media coverage to focus on the benefits of CBE, citing improved candidate performance, reduced malpractice below international thresholds, and strong student engagement observed in pilot centres.
