The House of Representatives has urged the Federal Ministry of Education and the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) to suspend plans for computer-based testing (CBT) in the 2026 school exams, citing poor infrastructure and lack of manpower in many schools.
The call follows a motion by Rep. Kelechi Wogu, warning that moving ahead with CBT without adequate preparation could cause widespread student failure, stress, and mental health challenges.
Wogu said most secondary schools, particularly in rural areas, lack essential facilities such as functional computers, internet access, and stable electricity. He also highlighted a shortage of trained ICT teachers to guide students through digital exams.
“The 2025 WAEC portal crash showed what can go wrong,” Wogu said. “Rushing CBT now could result in massive failure and frustration among students.”
The House directed the Education Ministry and state governments to fund school upgrades between 2026 and 2029, recruit ICT teachers, and assess readiness before a full rollout by 2030. Committees were also asked to engage education and tech stakeholders and report back within four weeks.
