WAEC CBT suspension gains momentum as the House orders a halt to the 2026 digital exam rollout over infrastructure concerns

The suspension has become the centre of a major legislative directive after the House of Representatives ordered the Ministry of Education and the West African Examinations Council to stop the planned digital exam format for the 2026 senior school certificate exam.

Also read: WAEC dismisses 2026 subject restriction reports

The move followed a motion raised by Kelechi Wogu who warned that pushing ahead with the computer model could cause widespread failure and frustration among students.

The lawmaker argued that most public schools lack basic digital tools needed for such a transition.

He highlighted the absence of functional computer rooms, stable power, trained ICT staff and reliable internet in rural areas where the majority of candidates live.

He reminded members that even the council’s results portal faced technical issues in 2025 which exposed deeper readiness challenges.

Wogu cautioned that a sudden switch to the computer model would be disastrous and placed students under needless mental pressure.

He said schools outside main cities were not prepared for a full digital exam that requires constant electricity and a stable online link.

He urged the House to intervene before avoidable failure becomes a national issue.

The House responded by directing the Ministry of Education and state governments to include funds in their next four budgets for recruitment of computer teachers, construction of ICT halls, installation of internet systems and provision of backup power solutions.

Lawmakers further agreed that the digital system should not begin before the 2030 academic year.

Committees on basic education, digital affairs, examination bodies and labour were instructed to meet all stakeholders and present findings within four weeks.

Their task is to design a more realistic plan for transitioning to a modern exam format without putting students at risk.

Supporters of digital exams point to benefits such as transparency and improved efficiency. They also believe the new model could elevate Nigeria’s standing in global education.

Yet critics insist that rolling out the system without proper preparation would lead to massive failure, especially in public schools that lack dependable facilities.

WAEC had earlier listed essential equipment for the proposed system which includes hundreds of laptops, a strong local network, reliable power supply, air conditioned halls and surveillance tools.

Many schools currently fall far short of these demanding requirements.

The WAEC CBT suspension shows that lawmakers recognise the urgency of a balanced approach. They aim to modernise the system while ensuring that no student is left behind.