FG pushes ahead with CBT exams despite widespread concerns over readiness

The Federal Government has maintained its stance that all public examinations in Nigeria must migrate to computer-based testing (CBT) by 2026, despite mounting opposition from lawmakers, education stakeholders, and concerned citizens.

The insistence on the digital transition, officials argue, is driven by the growing rejection of Nigerian certificates abroad, particularly across Africa, a problem rooted in decades of examination malpractice and corruption.

The plan by the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) to replace the traditional paper-and-pencil format with CBT has drawn mixed reactions.

While WAEC has assured that the rollout will be phased, beginning with multiple-choice questions before extending to theory and practical components, lawmakers in the National Assembly have urged caution.

They warned that any glitches in the 2026 implementation could endanger the future of millions of students.

Legislators also raised concerns about Nigeria’s uneven access to technology, poor infrastructure, and low levels of digital literacy, particularly in rural communities, stressing that fairness and inclusivity must guide the process.

The Vice Chairman of the Senate Committee on Education, Senator Ekong Sampson, warned that a hasty rollout could worsen existing challenges, while Senator Victor Umeh advised WAEC to initially combine CBT with the old system to avoid disadvantaging students.

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Umeh noted that the number of candidates for WAEC is far larger than those for JAMB and that without proper preparation, the transition could be chaotic.

In the House of Representatives, Oboku Oforji from Bayelsa State called for at least one fully equipped CBT centre in each of Nigeria’s 774 local government areas to bridge the digital divide.

In response, WAEC’s Head of National Office, Dr. Amos Dangut, reaffirmed the council’s commitment to equity and transparency, insisting that CBT would curb malpractice, speed up result processing, and restore credibility to Nigeria’s examination system.

The Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, also strongly backed the transition, promising that no child would be left behind.

To drive the reforms, he established a 17-member high-level committee chaired by JAMB Registrar, Professor Ishaq Oloyede, which recommended a full transition to CBT by 2026 after months of consultations.

Nevertheless, stakeholders remain worried about the nation’s readiness.

Education unions and school proprietors stressed the need for extensive groundwork, better infrastructure, reliable electricity, stable internet connectivity, and adequate training for teachers and students.

Critics also noted that unlike JAMB’s multiple-choice examinations, WAEC and NECO’s final-year exams include essay and theory components that demand higher digital skills, which rural students often lack.

They warned that the transition could widen inequality and cause mass failures if rushed.

Some education advocates suggested that the government extend the timeline by at least five years to allow for wider sensitization and gradual implementation.

Others argued that the proliferation of CBT centres should precede the transition, with one centre in each local government area as a minimum requirement.

Concerns about erratic electricity supply and poor internet access were also raised, with calls for backup systems to be put in place.

Underlying the debate is the question of certificate integrity.

However, WAEC examinations continue to be plagued by malpractice, with reports of question paper leaks, bribery of supervisors, and collusion between school proprietors and parents to secure favourable results.

In some cases, parents admitted paying exorbitant fees to register their children in so-called “special centres” where cheating is guaranteed.

These practices, according to education officials, have eroded the credibility of Nigerian certificates and led to their rejection abroad, with many foreign universities subjecting Nigerian applicants to additional tests before admission.

It is this crisis of confidence that has fueled the government’s insistence on moving to computer-based testing as a way to restore global trust in Nigerian qualifications.

While the vision is clear, the question of whether Nigeria can deliver the required infrastructure, training, and inclusivity by the 2026 deadline remains unresolved, leaving the fate of millions of students hanging in the balance.