A major confrontation is brewing between the Nigerian legislature and the Federal Ministry of Education after the House of Representatives unanimously passed a resolution urging the immediate reversal of a policy that removed key subjects from the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) registration portal for the 2026 Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE).
The delisted subjects including Civic Education, Computer Studies, Data Processing, Electrical Installation and Maintenance, and Photography are foundational to civic responsibility, digital literacy, and vocational skills. Lawmakers described the move, which stems from a broader curriculum overhaul, as “insensitive” and a direct threat to the academic future of thousands of SS3 students just four months away from their final exams.
Protecting digital and civic literacy
The resolution, moved on Thursday, December 4, 2025, by Hon. Oboku Abonsizibe Oforji (PDP, Yenagoa/Opokuma, Bayelsa State), followed the abrupt discovery by schools in late November that the courses were no longer available on the WAEC online portal.
The core of the House’s argument rests on the vital roles of the subjects in a modern economy and democracy:
- Digital Literacy Crisis: Hon. Oforji vehemently questioned the removal of Computer Studies and Data Processing at a time when all major examination bodies, including the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), are shifting to the Computer-Based Test (CBT) model. “At a time when the world is going digital… and Nigeria is trying to catch up, you remove a fundamental subject like Computer Science,” he noted.
- Erosion of Citizenship: The removal of Civic Education, previously a compulsory subject, was criticized for undermining efforts to instill values like patriotism, ethics, and governance awareness, which are crucial for Nigeria’s democracy.
- Academic Viability: Lawmakers expressed worry that removing three or more foundational subjects forces students below the minimum requirement of eight subjects for the WASSCE, potentially invalidating their entire examination results for university admissions.
The abrupt implementation of the revised curriculum, which consolidates subjects like Civic Education into a new course called “Citizenship and Heritage Studies” and streamlines vocational trades, was flagged as the source of the chaos. Critics say the move disregarded the years of preparation already invested by current SS3 students, particularly impacting under-resourced schools with limited access to new syllabi and teaching materials.
Directives and stakeholder reactions
The House’s resolution mandates the Federal Ministry of Education to take the following actions:
- Immediately rescind the directive and restore the delisted subjects to the WAEC portal for the 2026 examination.
- Suspend the full implementation of the new curriculum until comprehensive stakeholder consultation is conducted.
- Constitute an ad hoc committee to investigate the curriculum changes and ensure compliance with the House’s directive.
While the Ministry of Education has not issued an official response to the resolution, WAEC had previously distanced itself from the policy in late October 2025, asserting that curriculum development is solely the responsibility of the Federal Government through the Nigerian Educational Research and Development Council (NERDC), and that the examination body merely implements government-approved policies. However, the subsequent removal of the subjects from their registration portal suggests an operational compliance that is now causing widespread student distress.
Parents, teachers, and education unions have applauded the Representatives’ intervention, calling it a much-needed “lifeline” for students facing academic uncertainty. The public debate underscores deep-seated concerns about Nigeria’s readiness for rapid top-down education reform and the need for better synergy between policymakers, curriculum developers, and examination bodies.
