WAEC Has Just Announced They Can Only Do Exams Using Laptops,Which Secondary School Have Laptops?- Peter Obi
Former Governor of Anambra state and Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi has expressed concern over the recent announcement by the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) that future examinations will be conducted using laptops.
Speaking during an interview on SYMFONI TV, Obi questioned the practicality of the policy, citing the limited availability of digital tools in many Nigerian secondary schools.
Obi argued that while technology-driven examinations may be a step forward, policymakers must first address the infrastructural realities of the country’s education system. He asked how WAEC intends to implement such a transition when the majority of schools lack basic digital resources.
“WAEC has just announced that they can only do WAEC exams through using laptops, which secondary schools here have laptops here. Which secondary school?”
The former governor noted that Nigeria’s education sector remains severely underfunded, with many schools struggling with overcrowded classrooms, inadequate furniture, poor teacher-student ratios, and inconsistent electricity supply. He described the proposal as disconnected from the actual conditions in which millions of students learn daily.
Obi stressed that before introducing technology-based examinations, the government and relevant authorities must undertake a massive investment in digital infrastructure. This, he said, must include providing laptops or tablets to students, equipping schools with reliable electricity and internet access, and training teachers to facilitate digital learning.
He warned that rushing into computer-based exams without adequate preparation could widen inequality, leaving students from public schools at a severe disadvantage compared to those in well-funded private institutions.
Obi called on WAEC and the Ministry of Education to prioritise equitable access to digital tools before implementing such a major policy shift. He emphasised that genuine educational reform must begin with strengthening foundational systems rather than announcing policies that most schools are currently incapable of supporting
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