Senate Summons Education Minister Over ‘Sudden’ WAEC Curriculum Change

The Senate on Tuesday mandated its Committee on Basic and Secondary Education to immediately summon the Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa, and the heads of other relevant agencies. This action was taken over what the Senate described as the sudden, ill-prepared implementation of a new curriculum and registration guideline issued by the West African Examinations Council (WAEC).

Dependable NG reports that the move followed the adoption of a motion sponsored by Senator Sunday Karimi (APC Kogi West), who warned that the abrupt policy shift could cause widespread failure among students scheduled to sit for the 2026 Senior Secondary Certificate Examination (SSCE).

Presenting the motion, Karimi highlighted an abrupt policy change by the Federal Ministry of Education and WAEC, noting that the new guideline requires all SS3 students nationwide to adopt a curriculum originally planned for candidates currently in SS1 and scheduled to write WAEC in 2027–2028.

He noted that the shift had led to the sudden removal of subjects such as Computer Studies, Civic Education, and other pre-existing courses from the WAEC syllabus for the May/June 2026 examination, despite students’ years of preparation. He warned that most students would now be left with only six examinable subjects instead of the required minimum of eight and maximum of nine.

Contributing to the debate, Senator Adams Oshiomhole (APC Edo North) strongly condemned what he called a “culture of anarchism” in policy implementation. He faulted the introduction of a new curriculum without adequate teachers, laboratories, equipment, or proper notification to parents and schools. “You cannot wake up overnight and say that in June students will be examined in a subject they have not been taught. Intentions are not enough. Proper homework must be done,” he said.

Similarly, Senator Idiat Adebule (APC Lagos Central) noted that major educational decisions must pass through the National Council on Education, involving all state commissioners, and called for a wider investigation into the entire proposed curriculum review.

In his remarks, the President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio, ruled that the Minister of Education, heads of relevant education agencies, and the Senate Committee on Basic and Secondary Education should meet to address the concerns raised. Akpabio noted that the Senate had already adopted one of the prayers regarding the exclusion of current SS3 students but agreed that full engagement with the ministry was necessary before any final directive.

“These are very weighty issues,” he said. “We cannot risk mass failure in the 2026 WAEC examinations. The relevant committees should invite the Minister immediately and report back within two weeks.”