Senate Queries WAEC’s Sudden Curriculum Overhaul, Predicts Nationwide Mass Failure

Senate Queries WAEC’s Sudden Curriculum Overhaul, Predicts Nationwide Mass Failure

The Nigerian Senate has cautioned the West African Examination Council (WAEC) against its abrupt decision to introduce a new WAEC curriculum for candidates sitting the 2026 senior secondary school certificate examination, warning that the move could trigger widespread mass failure across the country.

WAEC had initially scheduled the rollout of the revised curriculum for the 2027/2028 examination cycle, but unexpectedly shifted implementation to 2026—a development lawmakers on Tuesday described as ill-timed and poorly planned.

Leading the motion, Senator Sunday Karimi said the sudden curriculum overhaul had already resulted in the removal of key subjects such as Computer Studies, Civic Education, and other long-standing examinable courses from the WAEC syllabus. He argued that students who had spent years preparing for these subjects would now be left stranded, with their examinable subjects reduced to only six instead of the mandatory minimum of eight and maximum of nine.

Karimi maintained that neither WAEC nor the Federal Ministry of Education had demonstrated readiness for such a major policy shift, which he said violated Section 14(2)(b) of the 1999 Constitution, mandating government to safeguard citizens’ welfare, and Section 18, which guarantees equal and adequate educational opportunities.

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Senator Adams Oshiomhole, who seconded the motion, condemned what he described as a recurring “culture of anarchism” in Nigeria’s education policy implementation. He criticized the introduction of new subjects without adequate teachers, laboratories, equipment, or timely notification to parents and schools.

“You cannot wake up overnight and say that in June, students will be examined on subjects they have not been taught. Intentions are not enough—proper homework must be done,” Oshiomhole said, urging the Senate to summon the Minister of Education along with relevant agencies to present evidence of preparedness.

Also contributing, Senator Oluranti Adebule said major curriculum reforms must pass through the National Council on Education, which includes all state commissioners. She called for a comprehensive review of the entire curriculum process. Senator Solomon Adeola added that many new subjects—such as cosmetology, fashion design, garment making, livestock farming, GSM repairs, and solar installation—require practical facilities that most schools lack.

After a lengthy debate, Senate President Godswill Akpabio ruled that the Senate Committee on Basic and Secondary Education, the Minister of Education, and heads of relevant agencies must meet urgently to address the concerns. He noted that the Senate had already instructed that the current SS3 students be exempted from the new curriculum.

“These are very weighty issues. We cannot risk mass failure in the 2026 WAEC examinations,” Akpabio said, directing the committees to report back within two weeks.

The Senate insisted that the matter must be fully resolved before the end of the year to protect the academic future of millions of Nigerian students.

Senate Queries WAEC’s Sudden Curriculum Overhaul, Predicts Nationwide Mass Failure