As the House of Representatives pushes for the suspension of WAEC’s plan to introduce Computer-Based Testing (CBT) by 2026, many education experts warn that slowing down this transition may hurt the students the lawmakers are trying to protect. While concerns about power supply, internet access and computer availability are valid, some educators argue that delaying digital exposure carries even greater long-term risks.
At the heart of the debate is Nigeria’s readiness. Lawmakers insist that schools—especially rural ones—lack the basic tools necessary for a smooth digital exam. They cite the technical glitches that marred the 2025 WAEC result portal as proof that WAEC needs more time. However, ICT teachers and digital learning advocates argue that this cautious approach could leave students behind in the past.
“Children actually adapt faster than adults assume,” says Isaac Olukorede, an ICT instructor in Lagos. “The same students we fear will fail CBT already use smartphones to learn maths on YouTube, watch lessons on TikTok, and chat on WhatsApp. The issue is not the students — it is the system refusing to modernise.”
Across Africa, the move towards digital examinations is accelerating. Ghana and Kenya already run digital assessments in phases. Nigeria’s insistence on paper exams, experts argue, could make its students less competitive both in higher institutions and the global job market, where computer literacy is now a basic requirement.
Education policy analyst, Grace Ulo, notes that delaying CBT means delaying digital skills. “Every year we postpone this transition, we are widening the digital divide. Students in elite schools will continue to advance, while those in public schools will likely remain behind. That gap becomes a lifelong disadvantage.”
Experts also believe that digital exams could discourage malpractice, speed up result processing, and reduce human errors associated with paper scripts. “We have to stop planning for the Nigeria of the 1980s,” Ulo adds. “The world has moved on.”
Still, lawmakers argue that the nation needs at least three more years to prepare, recommending a postponed rollout around 2029. However, some stakeholders caution that such delays may persist indefinitely, particularly in a country where infrastructure development is slow.
Ultimately, the real danger may not be the fear of mass failure. It may be the cost of keeping young Nigerians trapped in an outdated system while the rest of the world races ahead. For many students, suspending WAEC’s digital transition could mean losing the opportunity to develop the digital confidence necessary for the future they must face, with or without computers.
