Senate Seeks Explanation from WAEC, Education Ministry over Rejigged SSCE Guideline 

The Senate yesterday called on the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) and the Federal Ministry of Education to account for a sudden overhaul of subject requirements for the upcoming Senior Secondary Certificate Examination (SSCE), warning the changes could jeopardize thousands of students across the country.

At the heart of the controversy is a revised curriculum for the 2025/2026 SSCE which significantly alters the list of approved subjects. Key disciplines — including previously core subjects — have reportedly been removed or re-categorised, while new vocational and trade-oriented courses have been added.

Critics argue that the timing is unacceptable, coming just months before the May/June examinations, and that many students and schools have not been adequately prepared for the shift.

During plenary, senators expressed deep concern that the abrupt transition leaves Senior Secondary School 3 (SS3) pupils with little chance to adjust. Several lawmakers warned this could lead to a spike in failures — and erode public trust in Nigeria’s exam system.

They called for a postponement of the new guidelines to allow for proper implementation and sufficient preparation time for schools.

In response, the Senate referred the issue to the Committee on Basic and Secondary Education, demanding a full investigation and a clear recommendation on whether the new rules should apply to the 2026 exam cohort or be deferred.

Meanwhile, stakeholders including parent groups, teachers’ associations and education-rights advocates have urged calm but insist that any curriculum realignment be phased in gradually — ideally starting with incoming students, not those already in SS3.

They warn that forcing current candidates to take unfamiliar subjects they have not studied is unfair and could disadvantage entire student populations.