What JAMB, WAEC must do to avert past errors

• Oji, AFED president, proffers solutions

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By Gabriel Dike

President, Association of Formidable Educational Development (AFED), Mr. Emmanuel Oji, has advised the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) and the West African Examinations Council (WAEC), to afford the pitfalls of 2025. He spoke with Daily Sun.

Excerpts:

In 2025, JAMB and WAEC reviewed their results after public outcry, how can the exam bodies avert this scenario in future?

Exam bodies should prioritise robust quality control, invest in technology and ensure transparency in their processes. Regular audits and stakeholders’ engagement can also help mitigate errors and build trust. Again, examination bodies in Nigeria may have to rethink approach to examining which may help illicit change in students’ behaviour towards examination

Are the schools and students prepared for CB-WASSCE?

Preparation levels vary. While some schools are equipped, many lack infrastructure and digital literacy. WAEC and governments must support schools, especially in rural areas, to bridge this gap. To this extent the contemplation on nationwide CBT based examination is ill-conceived

What advice do you have for WAEC as it prepares to conduct nationwide CBT exams?

WAEC should focus on building redundancy systems, ensuring power backup and providing technical support. Clear communication with schools and students on CBT protocols is also crucial. But most importantly, we should not consider examination as the end, but a means to an end.

CBT-based examination can be one of the means. It’s completely wrong for us to protect ourselves in such a way that our obvious inadequacies could make us a global mockery. Steps that are right have a point of commencement.

As an educationist, are the students ready for the CB-WASSCE?

Students are at different levels. Some are prepared, but many need more exposure to digital tools. Schools must integrate CBT practice into their curriculum. Our readiness is not at the same level. Some maybe practical ready. Some are dream ready due to multiple reasons already known to us.

What should their schools be doing now to ensure smooth exercise for the students?

Schools should conduct mock CBT exams, upgrade infrastructure and train students on digital literacy. Technical support teams should be on standby during exams, seek for loans where it’s possible to procure infrastructure for CBT-based examination.

Should parents express fear based on what happened in 2025?

Parents should be cautious but supportive. Encourage students to prepare and engage with schools on preparedness levels. Parents must also endeavour to give support to schools within the level of their capacities

Are you confident of a hitch-free UTME and WASSCE?

Confidence comes from preparation. With robust systems and stakeholders’ collaboration, we can minimise hiccups. Reduce tension, frustrate bad intents through a robust stakeholders’ engagement

How prepared are AFED schools for the two major exams?

AFED schools are working towards readiness. We are focusing on infrastructure upgrades and staff training to ensure our students are well-prepared. But you are aware of the kind of schools we run which basically are low cost, meeting these demands appear to be Herculean.

We are reaching out to both state, federal governments and other stakeholders for support. In some places, we have our development partner EDIFY already doing something.

With CBT exams, do we say bye-bye to examination malpractice?

CBT reduces some malpractices but introduces new challenges like hacking. Vigilance and tech solutions can help curb these. Every human innovation is as good as those behind it.

Do you support calls by some proprietors that FG should provide grants to equip their computer lab?

Yes, grants would help schools, especially in underserved areas, provide digital access and improve CBT readiness. AFED has been in the forefront for the call. Government must show that it prioritises education. It is part of their responsibility irrespective of their school opportunities or choice.

What are your views on the recent FG decision on the reuse of textbooks?

Reusing textbooks can promote sustainability and affordability. However, it’s important to ensure content remains relevant and doesn’t compromise quality. The idea is basically to reduce financial burden on parents. While I support that, I urge us to follow it with wisdom. We have an ever changing world that affects learning content in some instances