NUT Criticizes Federal Government’s CBT Mandate for WAEC and NECO Exams, Cites Root Causes of Exam Malpractice
The Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) has expressed strong reservations over the Federal Government’s directive mandating a full transition to Computer-Based Testing (CBT) for the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) and National Examinations Council (NECO) by 2026. According to the union, the move is unlikely to curb examination malpractice and overlooks the deeper structural issues plaguing the Nigerian education system.
Speaking in Abuja, NUT National President, Comrade Audu Amba, faulted the rationale behind the directive, stressing that the focus on CBT is a superficial fix to a more complex problem.
“We have placed more emphasis on certificates. What is your grade? What are your scores? Not minding the intellectual intelligence of that student,” Amba said. “The students will go out of their way to make sure that they get the marks that will give them the certificate.”
The Real Problem: Obsession with Paper Qualifications
According to Amba, the root cause of widespread examination malpractice is society’s obsession with paper qualifications over true knowledge and capability. This undue pressure, he said, often pushes students and even their parents to resort to unethical practices just to secure high grades.
“It’s not about CBT or paper-based exams. It’s about how much we value grades over intellect. Until we change that mindset, malpractice will continue,” he added.
Infrastructure Gaps Threaten Implementation
Beyond the ideological concerns, Amba raised practical issues that could make the 2026 deadline for full CBT implementation unrealistic, especially for schools in rural and underserved areas.
“We are talking about CBT exams. Where is the light, manpower, and network? You see, we have a long way to go,” he said.
“How many of our teachers in our localities are even computer literate? We don’t sit down within the city and give a directive that cannot be implemented. There are also some of our students who have not seen a computer before, not to mention operating it.”
He highlighted the lack of reliable internet access, unstable electricity supply, and the shortage of trained ICT personnel in many parts of the country as major roadblocks.
Neglect of Teachers Undermining Education Reform
Amba also used the opportunity to draw attention to the persistent marginalization of teachers in Nigeria, particularly those in the primary education sector. He pointed to the ongoing strike by primary school teachers in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) over unpaid wages as evidence of systemic neglect.
“Teachers in Nigeria are the most marginalized set of people. While every professional is given the necessary attention by the government, teachers are not, especially the primary school teachers,” he said.
He described it as ironic that those now in leadership positions—many of whom were once taught by these same teachers—are now contributing to the profession’s decline.
“We go to the same market, belong to the same community, pay the same house rent, go to the same hospital, just like any other Nigerian. Yet, we’re treated differently.”
Call for Urgent Investment in Basic Education
Amba called on the Federal Government to rethink its approach and invest more meaningfully in foundational education. According to him, the success of any educational reform, including CBT implementation, depends heavily on the quality of primary and secondary education.
“Basic education is the bedrock of our education system. Without strengthening it, no amount of computerization can save the sector.”
Background: Government Push for CBT by 2026
Earlier this year, the Federal Government announced that WAEC and NECO would fully transition to CBT for all examinations starting from the May/June 2026 cycle. The Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, revealed that objective (multiple-choice) questions would begin being administered via CBT as early as November 2025, with full adoption including essay papers by mid-2026.
The initiative aims to minimize exam malpractice and modernize the exam process. A committee has also been set up to review national examination standards, with its recommendations expected in the coming months.
Final Word
While the transition to CBT reflects a global trend toward digitizing education, the Nigeria Union of Teachers warns that without tackling the core issues—obsession with certificates, infrastructural deficits, and neglect of educators—the reform may fall short of its intended impact.
