House of Reps grills WAEC officials over exam disruptions

The West African Examinations Council (WAEC) has come under intense scrutiny as the House of Representatives Committee on Basic Education and Examination Bodies raised serious concerns over widespread irregularities and operational failures that have marred the 2025 Senior Secondary School Certificate Examination (SSCE).

During an investigative hearing held at the National Assembly on Monday, lawmakers grilled the Head of WAEC Nigeria, Dr. Amos Dangut, over what they described as “systemic lapses” in the examination body’s operations. The committee accused WAEC of failing in its core responsibilities, leading to growing public distrust in the credibility of Nigeria’s examination system.

According to members of the committee, reports of malpractice, logistical breakdowns, and compromised examination procedures have become alarmingly frequent in the ongoing 2025 SSCE, raising red flags about the integrity of the process.

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Stakeholders, including parents, students, and education experts, have expressed deep concerns over logistical lapses, security issues, and poor management that have undermined the integrity of the exam process.

These challenges have sparked calls for urgent reforms to restore public confidence and ensure a fair, transparent examination system.

Opening the session, the chairman of the committee, Oforji Oboku (PDP, Yenagoa/Opokuma Federal Constituency, Bayelsa State), launched a sharp rebuke of the council’s performance, while commending his colleagues for prioritising the oversight meeting despite the parliament not being in session.

“This gathering reflects our collective resolve to restore dignity and credibility to our examination system.

“On behalf of this committee, I offer an unreserved apology to Nigerian parents, guardians, and candidates who suffered the chaos of the last examination cycle. We are committed to ensuring this never happens again,” he said.

Recalling an earlier meeting with WAEC on May 30, Oboku described as appalling the revelations that students in several centres were compelled to sit for the examination under extreme conditions, including late-night sessions lit by torchlights.

“It is unacceptable that in 2025, students are sitting for exams at 11 pm under torchlight. This is not just a failure of logistics, it is a failure of leadership,” he added.

Although he emphasized that the committee’s probe was not a witch-hunt, the Bayelsa lawmaker insisted on getting to the root of the council’s inefficiencies.

“We must identify the underlying causes of these repeated failures, address them decisively, and hold those responsible to account,” he stated.

The session became rowdy as lawmakers voiced their displeasure over what they described as WAEC’s habitual negligence and lack of preparation.

“Admit your failure to the Nigerian people. If you need to cry, go ahead. But when you’re done, tender your resignation,” an unidentified lawmaker shouted.

Lawmakers also criticised Dr Dangut’s assertion that WAEC would roll out computer-based testing centres nationwide by 2026.

“You talk of CBT readiness, yet many local governments lack a single CBT centre.

“That’s like saying you own a car and a driver, but there’s no road. It’s fantasy, not capacity,” Oforji added.

The committee called for a national education summit to assess the real state of secondary school infrastructure across the country.

Beyond infrastructure, members of the committee raised alarm over the reputational damage Nigeria had suffered across West Africa due to WAEC’s failings.

Defending the council, Dr Dangut cited unforeseen logistical challenges and insecurity in parts of the country.

His explanations were, however, repeatedly interrupted, with lawmakers dismissing the excuses as inadequate and unacceptable.

At the end of the session, the committee passed a resolution compelling WAEC to submit a comprehensive audit of its digital infrastructure, particularly in underserved areas, and a detailed roadmap on its CBT readiness.

The committee also directed the council to furnish the National Assembly with its full operational guidelines and all reports relating to examination paper leakages.

In his closing remarks, Oforji said, “This is a defining moment. We must insist on competence, honesty, and reform.

“Education is too critical to be managed by trial and error. The future of our children, and our nation, is at stake.”