The Senate on Tuesday summoned the Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, and the Head of the National Office of the West African Examinations Council (WAEC), Dr Amos Dangut, to provide clarification on the recent modifications to the 2025/2026 Senior Secondary Certificate Examination (SSCE) subject structure.

The resolution followed a motion sponsored by Sen. Sunday Karimi (APC–Kogi West), who expressed concern that the revised structure could destabilise students preparing for the May/June 2026 examinations.

Karimi told the chamber that the new rules reportedly altered core subject requirements and introduced additional subjects for which many schools currently lacked teachers and instructional facilities.

He warned that the sudden policy shift could trigger widespread failure next year, noting that some candidates might be compelled to sit for subjects they neither registered for nor received adequate instruction in.

Contributing to the debate, several senators stressed that although curriculum review is routine, such revisions must not jeopardise learning outcomes or put candidates at a disadvantage.

Lawmakers urged that candidates for the 2025/2026 examination cycle be exempted from the new guidelines and recommended that the implementation commence from the 2027/2028 academic session. They said the adjustment period would enable schools, teachers, and examination administrators to prepare adequately.

Sen. Adams Oshiomhole (APC–Edo North) faulted the abrupt rollout, insisting that introducing new subjects without adequate preparation could further complicate the education system.

“We wake up and think of an idea and begin to implement it. For a new subject to start, citizens should be informed to prepare. Do we have enough teachers? Have we prepared the laboratories? That evidence doesn’t exist,” he said.

Similarly, Sen. Idiat Adebule (APC–Lagos West), a former education commissioner, said the National Council on Education — which comprises all state education commissioners — is normally involved in decisions relating to curriculum and examination changes. She called for a thorough investigation into the process leading to the revised structure.

Sen. Adeola Olamilekan (APC–Ogun West), Chairman of the Senate Committee on Appropriations, said students could not be examined on subjects for which they had not been taught. “The Minister of Education has some questions to answer,” he said.

Senate President Godswill Akpabio queried the rationale for reportedly removing Computer Studies and Civic Education from the list of examinable subjects.

“Everything is going digital. Why are we removing Computer Studies and Civic Education? Children need to know their national anthem and their civic obligations. We must investigate to confirm the accuracy of this information,” he said.

The Senate subsequently referred the matter to the Committee on Basic and Secondary Education and directed it to submit its report within two weeks.

Tuesday’s development came five days after the House of Representatives condemned the removal of Civic Education, Computer Studies, Electrical Installation and several other subjects from WAEC’s examination portal.

During Thursday’s plenary, the House urged the Federal Government, through the Ministry of Education, to review and reverse the decision, describing the subjects as critical to national development.

The motion, moved by Hon. Oboku Oforji (Yenagoa/Opokuma, Bayelsa), emphasised that while periodic curriculum review is necessary, eliminating foundational subjects could weaken learning outcomes and undermine digital literacy.

The controversy has sparked reactions from parents, school owners and education stakeholders, who are demanding clarity