When the Federal Government and the National Assembly gave their blessing for WAEC to fully adopt Computer-Based Testing (CBT) by 2026, the announcement was packaged like a revolution. A new dawn for education, a future where students would no longer battle with leaking biro inks, missing scripts, or sweaty invigilators hovering over their shoulders. On paper, it sounded like Nigeria was finally catching up with the rest of the world.
But here’s the bitter truth: Nigeria has a knack for turning big promises into big embarrassments. Remember the “cashless policy” that left people cashless in the worst possible way? Or the fuel subsidy removal that created more queues at petrol stations than in exam halls? Now, WAEC’s CBT switch looks dangerously close to joining that same hall of poorly executed “good ideas.”
Yes, it’s 2026 or nothing, but the road to that “digital utopia” is littered with potholes of failed policies, broken promises, and the uniquely Nigerian talent for starting things we aren’t ready to finish. And if WAEC isn’t careful, this “giant leap forward” may collapse before the first candidate even logs in.
Let’s talk about why.
The Big Announcement
It was during a sensitisation meeting with lawmakers and stakeholders in Abuja, that the Minister of Education, Maruf Alausa spoke.
According to him, the nationwide adoption of CBT would strengthen Nigeria’s student assessment system and transform the education sector.
“We have undertaken to migrate public examinations to computer-based technology as a deliberate step to secure the integrity of our education system. While some initially opposed this transition, we knew that business as usual could no longer suffice,” Alausa said.
Why WAEC’s CBT Switch May Collapse Before It Even Begins
1. Infrastructure Is A Mirage
Nigeria can barely keep the lights on. The power grid collapses more often than group chats after midnight. Imagine millions of students sitting for a CBT exam and boom!—’NEPA’ strikes.
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Without stable electricity and reliable internet across 774 local governments, the CBT dream could become a nationwide nightmare.
2. Ghost Centres, Real Chaos
We’ve seen it before: government commissions “ultra-modern” centres that exist only in press releases. By 2026, some of these so-called CBT centres may be nothing more than padlocked classrooms with dusty computers. Students might travel miles only to meet locked gates and a “system error.”
3. Digital Divide = Academic Apartheid
This reform risks creating a two-class education system. Urban students in Lagos and Abuja, used to smartphones and laptops, will adapt easily. But students in rural Kogi or Sokoto, who have never touched a keyboard, will be punished for a system they didn’t design. Is WAEC really ready to handle this digital apartheid?
4. Malpractice Will Mutate, Not Die
WAEC promises that CBT will kill exam malpractice. Nigerians just laughed. From “expo papers” to invigilator collusion, malpractice has survived every reform. By 2026, cheating won’t disappear—it will simply upgrade. Expect “server hacks,” “malpractice apps,” and even syndicates offering “remote logins.”
5. Nigeria’s Tradition Of Unprepared Reforms
The pattern is too familiar: big reforms, no planning, public outcry. From fuel subsidy removal to the botched cashless policy, Nigeria often jumps into the deep end without learning to swim. WAEC’s CBT switch risks repeating that tragic cycle—another great idea destroyed by poor execution.
The Provocative Question
Should Nigerians clap for WAEC’s bold move, or start bracing for disaster? Because if the system fails, the victims won’t be the officials smiling at press briefings—it will be the millions of students whose futures depend on these exams. And in Nigeria, nothing is more dangerous than a reform launched with fanfare but zero preparation.
So, is WAEC really ready for 2026, or are we about to witness the biggest educational own goal of the decade?
