By Sabiu Abdullahi
The National President of the Parents-Teachers Association of Nigeria (NAPTAN), Haruna Danjuma, has expressed strong doubts over the feasibility of the Federal Government’s plan to fully transition West African Examinations Council (WAEC) and National Examinations Council (NECO) tests to Computer-Based Testing (CBT) by 2026.
In April, the Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, directed both examination bodies to adopt full CBT formats by the May/June 2026 session.
According to the Minister, the process would begin in November 2024 with multiple-choice papers, followed by full adoption—including essay sections—within two years.
However, speaking to The PUNCH, Danjuma questioned the practicality of this target, citing the inadequate digital infrastructure in many public schools, particularly in rural areas.
“It can only be practicable if the 36 state governors and the FCT Minister provide all senior secondary schools with functional computer laboratories powered by solar energy. They must also provide computer instructors/teachers to train the student,” he said.
He further warned, “Anything short of that, I don’t think it will be possible, because over 70 per cent of students—especially those in rural areas—are not computer literate.”
Danjuma emphasized that unless all state governments invest heavily in ICT infrastructure and personnel, the proposed transition could widen educational inequality and damage the credibility of national exams.
Echoing similar concerns, the Secretary of the Education Rights Committee at the University of Ibadan, Nnamdi Ochi, described the federal directive as another case of “motion without movement.”
In a statement shared journalists, Ochi acknowledged that CBT could improve how public exams are administered but maintained that the current state of public education infrastructure makes the goal unachievable.
“We have also campaigned for improved conditions of learning for students, and WAEC and NECO transitioning into a computer-based examination would be an improvement. However, it goes beyond empty proclamations. For this not to be another colossal failure, the necessary facilities must be put in place,” he said.
Ochi pointed out that many secondary schools in Nigeria lack even the most basic amenities. He noted that in several public schools, classrooms are either dilapidated or nonexistent, and students continue to learn under trees without proper learning materials.
“Presently, the country is far behind and incapable of this transition. Over the years, public education has continued to wallow in decay, without any genuine and sincere effort by the government to uplift it. Many public secondary schools lack classrooms—students are still studying under trees and in dilapidated structures without any learning facilities or equipment,” he said.
He also referenced the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board’s own struggles with CBT implementation, despite over ten years of adoption.
According to him, JAMB still relies heavily on privately-run computer centres, a practice that has created recurring technical and logistical challenges for candidates.
“A transition to CBT for WAEC and NECO exams will only create more problems under the current conditions. The proclamation by the Federal Government is not driven by genuine concern for students,” Ochi said.
He added that for meaningful reform, the government must commit more funding to revitalising public education and ensure it becomes truly accessible. He also advocated for broader involvement in policy-making.
“There is also a need to democratise the decision-making structures in the education sector by involving students, parents, and education workers through their associations and unions,” he said.