WAEC Confirms 2026 Computer-based Pilot Exam Will Go Ahead Amid Suspension Rumours

The West African Examinations Council (WAEC), yesterday, said it has not received any formal directive from the National Assembly to suspend its planned migration of its West African Senior School Certificate Examinations (WASSCE) to Computer-Based Examinations (CBE), insisting that the phased transition, scheduled to begin with pilot testing in 2026, remains on course.

Head of the Nigeria National Office (HNO), Dr. Amos Dangut, made this known while briefing journalists after its 63rd Nigeria National Council (NNC) meeting in Umuahia, Abia State, amid widespread reports that the House of Representatives had resolved to halt the initiative. Dangut stressed that only an official communication, not media reports or public debate, could alter WAEC’s implementation plan. “As we speak, we are only hearing that there is a discourse at the National Assembly. We have searched and found no formal communication,” he said. He further 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 faulted what he described as misinterpretations of WAEC’s intentions, noting that the council never announced that all schools would write the 2026 WASSCE using computers. According to him, the plan is to conduct pilot testing only in schools with the required ICT facilities, many of which have already volunteered. For schools without the necessary infrastructure, WAEC will utilise existing community-based CBE centres. The HNO explained that the nationwide ICT-readiness review resulted in a three-tier classification of schools; schools not ready for CBE, which will require support or alternative arrangements; schools able to handle only objective papers on computer; and schools capable of handling all papers, objectives, essays, and practicals, via computer. This classification, he stated, guides the logistics and modalities for the 2026 examination. Addressing concerns about the revised basic and secondary school curricula, Dangut clarified that the review was a federal government initiative, and WAEC only aligns its syllabuses to reflect approved content. He disclosed that two newly introduced core subjects, Citizenship and Heritage Studies; and Digital Technologies, will not be examined in 2026 and 2027 due to the ongoing development of their curricula and syllabuses. “They are expected to be assessed from 2028, once full implementation begins. This means candidates for the 2026 and 2027 WASSCE diets will sit only three core subjects: English Language, General Mathematics, and one trade subject. They will then select additional subjects to reach the approved minimum of eight and maximum of nine subjects,” the HNO stressed. Dangut confirmed that the federal government also streamlined trade subjects from 26 to six, with some subjects renamed but retaining their curriculum content. He noted that Horticulture and Crop Production is one of the newly approved trade subjects derived from Agricultural Science. In response to fears that students might be restricted in elective choices, Dangut emphasised that no candidate will be barred from registering subjects outside their field. “Science students will not be barred from taking Economics as an elective,” he stressed. He also announced an extension of the period for uploading Continuous Assessment Scores (CASS), to allow schools enough time to conduct at least three assessments for students taking newly approved subjects. This, Dangut said, is to ensure fairness and compliance with registration requirements Addressing concerns about inadequate consultation, Dangut said unions and critical stakeholders, including the Nigerian Union of Teachers (NUT) and the All Nigeria Confederation of Principals of Secondary Schools (ANCOPSS), are represented on the Council and involved in all deliberations. “We have never acted alone. They are all carried along in every decision,” he stated. He urged the media to help educate the public on the benefits of CBE, noting that trials conducted so far show improved candidate performance, reduced malpractice to below international thresholds, and strong enthusiasm from students in pilot centres.