The wave of digital examinations continues to sweep through our educational system. The recent mass failure in JAMB (Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination) should be a wake-up call for everyone: students, parents, teachers, and policymakers.

The bitter truth is: many Nigerian students are failing JAMB not because they are unintelligent but because they are digitally unprepared.
Can you imagine a candidate who came out of an examination feeling good about her performance, but nothing was recorded against her name when the result came because she failed to click SUBMIT!”

A JAMB official shared a distressing observation from one of the CBT (Computer-Based Test) centers:

1. “Many students couldn’t even log in because they didn’t know how to use capital letters on a keyboard.”
2. “Some couldn’t delete mistakes or even select answers properly.”
3. “Others didn’t know how to navigate to the next question or subject, or even submit the exam.”
4. “Many didn’t know how to use the mouse or find the calculator on the screen.”
5. Shockingly, a student who thought he had answered all questions had actually attempted only three out of 180, simply because he didn’t know how to select answers correctly.”

These are not isolated cases. This is happening in centers across the country.

What’s worse? Some of these students are fashionably dressed, glued to smartphones, but absolutely clueless when it comes to basic computer skills. Spending hours on TikTok, Instagram, or WhatsApp is not the same as learning how to use a computer.

JAMB transitioned to CBT in 2013, and by 2014, all candidates were expected to take the exam on a computer. Yet, 12 years later, many are still computer-illiterate or digitally naive.

Now, here’s another bombshell: WAEC is also moving to CBT next year.

If we do not act now, we risk watching more students crash out of their future simply because they didn’t know how to click a mouse or press “Submit.”

WHAT MUST BE DONE!

1. Schools: especially in rural and underserved areas, must begin urgent digital literacy programs for all SS2 and SS3 students.
2. Parents must go beyond buying smartphones. Enroll your children in basic computer training programs. Let them practice with real computers.
3. Teachers and community leaders must sensitize students about CBT procedures and simulate test environments.
4. Religious and community groups can also sponsor ICT boot camps as part of their outreach.

This is not just about passing exams. It is about preparing the next generation for a digital world.

Let the wise warn their children. A child who cannot click, will be left behind.

Let’s act now.