The House of Representatives has directed the Federal Ministry of Education to stop plans for the proposed commencement of Computer-Based Testing (CBT) for the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) in 2026.
This directive followed a motion of urgent public importance moved by Nwogu Kelechi, representing Etche/Omuma Federal Constituency of Rivers State.
Some examination bodies such as the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), WAEC, and National Examination Council of Nigeria (NECO) had adopted Computer-Based Test examination to curb examination infractions in the education system.
While the CBT was introduced to tackle examination malpractice, the process has been criticised by many authorities, students, and parents.
The critics also linked the 2025 JAMB and WAEC mass failure to adoption of CBT, saying Nigeria was not fully prepared to embrace digital examination.
Meanwhile, Kelechi argued that Nigeria was not yet adequately equipped to conduct nationwide CBT examinations, citing unstable electricity supply and poor internet connectivity in both rural and urban areas.
He advised that the Ministry of Education should address the infrastructural gaps before implementing the policy to avoid disenfranchising students, particularly those in underserved communities.
