The House of Representatives has urged the Federal Government to halt the plan by the West African Examinations Council, WAEC, to implement Computer-Based Testing, CBT, for the 2026 West African Senior School Certificate Examination, WASSCE, warning that the initiative could trigger widespread academic failure, psychological distress, and even fatalities among students.

The decision followed the adoption of a motion of urgent public importance presented by Hon. Kelechi Nworgu on Thursday, who called for immediate intervention to prevent what he described as an impending crisis in education.

Speaking on the motion, Nworgu acknowledged that while CBT has been successfully utilised by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board, JAMB, the current state of most secondary schools in Nigeria renders such a shift premature for WAEC exams in 2026.

He stressed that the Federal Ministry of Education’s plan to conduct the 2026 WASSCE via CBT, despite objections from the Nigeria Union of Teachers, NUT, and school principals, would place millions of students at a significant disadvantage, particularly those in rural communities who lack computers, stable electricity, and internet connectivity.

READ ALSO:Reps Approve Tinubu’s $2.35bn External Loan Request

“Most of the over 25,500 schools across the country, especially in rural areas, do not have functional computers or qualified computer teachers.

“Many students have never used a computer before, yet they are being compelled to take up to nine subjects, including theory and practical exams, through CBT,” he said.

Nworgu warned that the initiative is being rushed without sufficient groundwork and cautioned that its fallout could be severe, potentially resulting in mass failure, frustration, drug abuse, and other social ills among young people.

READ ALSO:Reps Raise The Alarm Over Terrorists’ Threat To Bomb N’Assembly Complex

He recommended that WAEC and the Ministry of Education postpone the CBT rollout for at least three years, suggesting a more feasible implementation period around the 2029–2030 academic session, after necessary infrastructure and training have been established.

In response, the House directed WAEC and the Ministry of Education to immediately suspend the planned CBT initiative.

It urged the government to allocate funds from the 2026 budget for hiring computer teachers, constructing computer labs with internet access, and installing standby generators in schools nationwide.

The House also tasked its Committees on Basic Examination Bodies, Digital and Information Technology, Basic Education and Services, and Labour, Employment and Productivity to engage stakeholders in the education and technology sectors and submit a report within four weeks to guide further legislative measures.

The Minister of Defence, Mohammed Badaru, on Wednesday said the ministry is investigating the confrontation between the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, and a naval officer, A. M. Yerima, over a disputed piece of land in Abuja.

Speaking during a press briefing to commence activities for the 2026 Armed Forces Remembrance Day at the National Defence College, Abuja, Badaru said the Armed Forces would not abandon any personnel carrying out lawful duties.

He said, “Well, at the ministry, and indeed the Armed Forces, we will always protect our officers on lawful duty.

“We are looking into this issue, and we assure all that any officer on lawful duty will be highly protected. We will not allow anything to happen to him so long as he is doing his job, and he is doing his job very well.”

The confrontation occurred on Tuesday when Wike visited the site and alleged that the military had taken over the land illegally.

READ ALSO:Naval Officer In Face-off With Wike Breached The Law — SAN

In a video obtained online, the visibly enraged minister questioned the presence of armed personnel on the land, said to belong to a former Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Zubairu Gambo (retd.).

Beyond the incident, Badaru used the briefing to unveil new initiatives aimed at strengthening military operations, veteran welfare, and national security.

He announced that the Federal Government had initiated a programme tagged “Reclaiming the Ungoverned Space for Economic Benefits Programme (RUSEB-P)”, which will deploy retired yet agile military veterans to help secure and rehabilitate areas previously occupied by terrorists.

“By engaging veterans to reinforce local security and initiate projects like farming and mining, RUSEB-P will prevent the resurgence of terrorism, revitalise local economies, and strengthen national security and cohesion,” he said.

READ ALSO:I’ll Support Trump To Fight Terrorism In Nigeria If… – Wike

The minister also launched the “Thank A Soldier” QR Code, which allows Nigerians at home and abroad to send personalised appreciation messages to troops on the frontlines.

On ongoing military operations nationwide, Badaru said troops under President Bola Tinubu’s administration had neutralised more than 13,000 terrorists and criminals, arrested over 17,000 suspects, rescued nearly 10,000 hostages, and destroyed 1,900 illegal refining sites.

He added that over 100,000 Boko Haram/ISWAP fighters and their families had surrendered.

Speaking on veterans’ welfare, he revealed that the ministry was setting up a Veterans’ Databank and Call Centre, and had enrolled 2,141 Civil War veterans who previously did not qualify for pension benefits.

READ ALSO:Protest Rocks PDP National Secretariat As Wike-led Faction Takes Over

The government also plans to amend the Nigerian Legion Act and rename it Veterans Federation of Nigeria (VFN).

Badaru said the Defence Health Maintenance Limited now covers more than 400,000 enrollees, including 205,000 veterans and their families across the country.

He urged Nigerians to show gratitude to troops and fallen heroes.

“We must continue to honour gallant men and women who embody valour, discipline, and unity — the pillars of our democracy and sovereignty.”

The Department of State Services has filed a six-count charge against 27-year-old Innocent Chukwuemeka Onukwume for allegedly calling for a military coup in the country.

The charges, brought before the Federal High Court in Abuja under case number FHC/ABJ/CR/610/2025, relate to posts Onukwume made on his verified X account (@theagroman) in October 2025.

According to the DSS, the posts encouraged the removal of the ruling All Progressives Congress, the suspension of the federal government and support for the military in taking over the country.

In the charge filed on Tuesday by DSS counsel A.M. Danalami, Onukwume’s actions were said to contravene Sections 46A(1) and 59(1) of the Criminal Code Act, as well as Section 24(1)(b) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act, 2024 (as amended).

READ ALSO:Naira Records Second Consecutive Depreciation Against US Dollar

Some of the statements attributed to him include: “A coup in Nigeria is needed. Dispose of APC, suspend the Nigerian government and join the AES. That is all we need now.”

He allegedly also wrote, “It will happen eventually, Nigerian. The military needs your support now! Only they can save this country. The bastard in Aso Rock has basically sold this country to the West and they run our intelligence apparatus only the military can reset this country.”

In another post, he reportedly stated, “Tinubu has to go and APC has to die for Nigeria to have any semblance of normal life. And if you think your stupid votes can remove Tinubu, I’m here to tell you that you’re a fool.”

The DSS further cited the same post repeated on his account, adding, “A coup in Nigeria is needed. Dispose of APC, suspend the Nigerian Government and join the AES. That is all we need now.”

READ ALSO:Tinubu Swears In Two New Ministers, Holds First FEC Meeting Since July

Onukwume, a resident of Umusayo Layout, Oyigbo Local Government Area of Rivers State, is expected to be arraigned later this week.

In October, there were reports of an alleged plot by some military personnel to overthrow President Bola Tinubu’s administration.

This, however, has triggered outrage among Nigerians, with senior lawyers, civil society groups and retired generals warning against any attempt to subvert democracy.

Meanwhile, the Defence Headquarters dismissed the reports, saying there was no coup-related detention or plan within the military.