By Samuel Udoma/Solomon OKPO
ABUJA, Senator Ekong Sampson, representing Akwa Ibom South Senatorial District, has hailed the West Africa Examination Council (WAEC) for its bold move to adopt Computer-Based Testing (CBT) for future examinations, describing it as a timely innovation in line with global standards.
Speaking at a sensitization workshop on the Computer-Based West African Senior School Certificate Examination (CB-WASSCE), held at the Nigeria Air Force Conference Centre, Abuja, the lawmaker however cautioned that the transition must be backed with adequate infrastructure and manpower to avoid disenfranchising students across Nigeria.
Senator Sampson, who stood in for the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Education (Basic and Secondary), Senator Lawal Usman, stressed that WAEC’s migration to CBT represents progress, but called for proper implementation to ensure inclusivity. “The CBT move is a step in the right direction, but it must be handled carefully so that no Nigerian child is left behind,” he said.
As Vice Chairman of the Senate Committee on Education and an advocate of educational reforms, Sampson disclosed that he had constructed three fully-equipped CBT centres in Akwa Ibom South, which will be commissioned later this month, to further strengthen access to digital examination infrastructure.
The sensitization workshop was attended by key stakeholders, including Hon. Oboku Oforji, Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Basic Education; Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa; WAEC Head of National Office, Dr. Amos Dangut; Senator Victor Umeh; Hajiya Binta Abdulkadir; WAEC Board Chairman, Alhaji Muhammad Ibn Musa; and the leadership of ANCOPPS, among others.
In his remarks, Education Minister, Dr. Alausa, described WAEC’s transition as “a historic step that aligns with ongoing reforms in curriculum, infrastructure, and digital learning tools,” noting that the shift would strengthen the credibility of examinations.
Similarly, WAEC’s Head of National Office, Dr. Dangut, explained that the transition, which commenced with private candidates in 2024, had already shown progress, with mock sessions and online practice platforms introduced to prepare candidates for the new system. He assured that alternative arrangements would be provided to ensure inclusivity.
The CB-WASSCE is scheduled for full nationwide implementation in 2026.
