The Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) has raised strong objections to the Federal Government’s plan to enforce full Computer-Based Testing (CBT) for WAEC and NECO exams by 2026, calling the directive unrealistic and out of touch with grassroots realities.
Speaking in Abuja, NUT President Comrade Audu Amba criticized the move, stressing that shifting to CBT won’t automatically eliminate exam malpractice. Instead, he said the root problem lies in Nigeria’s unhealthy obsession with certificates and grades.
“We’ve placed too much emphasis on paper qualifications, without assessing real intelligence. This pressure drives students and even parents to seek results by any means necessary,” Amba said.
He questioned the infrastructure needed to implement CBT nationwide. “Where is the power supply, trained personnel, or internet access in rural areas?” he asked. “Some students have never even seen a computer, let alone used one. Many teachers themselves are not computer literate.”
Amba also slammed the government for neglecting teachers—particularly at the primary level—describing them as the most marginalized professionals in Nigeria. He cited the ongoing strike by FCT primary school teachers over unpaid wages, asking how leaders who were once taught by teachers could now ignore them.
“Teachers live in the same economy as other Nigerians. We pay the same bills, shop in the same markets, and face the same hardship. We deserve better,” he added.
He urged the government to prioritize funding for basic education, which he described as the foundation of national development.
