The House of Representatives Committee on Basic Education and Examination Bodies on Friday rejected a delegation from the West African Examinations Council (WAEC), demanding that the Head of National Office appear in person to answer questions about widespread irregularities in the ongoing 2025 secondary school examinations.
The committee issued a 24-hour ultimatum after WAEC failed to honour its initial invitation. The delegation, led by Senior Assistant Registrar and Zonal Coordinator Ambrose Okelezo, explained that the Head of National Office was unavailable because he was supervising the printing of exam materials, a process expected to conclude on Saturday.
Committee Chairman Oforji Oboku began the session by apologising to parents and Nigerians for the “unpalatable and embarrassing incidents” reported nationwide during the exams. He highlighted troubling cases like the midnight start of exams in Jalingo, calling the emotional trauma suffered by students “unimaginable.”
“We owe the public a duty of care,” Oboku said. “This Committee demands to know the immediate and remote causes of these anomalies. Parents and Nigerians deserve answers about why their children’s lives were put at risk.”
He stressed that WAEC must uphold high standards, diligence, and proper care in conducting national exams, especially since the government appropriates funds specifically for this purpose.
Ambrose Okelezo, responding, said the Head of National Office had met with the Registrar and other officials to discuss the situation and plan preventative measures. He requested that the Committee allow the Head of National Office to appear on Monday to give a full report.
However, committee members were unhappy with this explanation. PDP lawmaker Awaji Nnombek Abiante accused the WAEC representative of incompetence and uselessness. “He said he is not competent to speak on these matters. So what is he doing here?” Abiante asked sharply.
Abiante described exam conditions in his rural constituency, where students had to write exams as late as midnight without electricity. He also criticized reports of exam question papers being left in commercial motorcycles, making them accessible to the public.
“I don’t know why, in a country of over 200 million people, the government cannot find competent hands to manage exams properly,” he said. “This is a national embarrassment.”
Other lawmakers agreed, insisting that the Head of National Office cannot dictate when he appears before the Committee. Chairman Oboku urged members to stay calm but acknowledged the seriousness of the situation and the trauma experienced by students.
“Parents and Nigerians want answers, and this committee must provide them,” Oboku said. “We will decide if we continue with this delegation or wait for the Head of National Office.”
Lawmaker Pascal Agbodike emphasized the importance of education and said the committee must tackle the issues firmly to avoid future failures. He supported waiting until Monday for the Head of National Office to appear.
Billy Osawaru also condemned the poor conduct of the exams, describing it as a “national embarrassment.” He moved a motion, seconded by Abiante, that the committee refuse to hear the current WAEC delegation until the Head of National Office appears in person.
The Committee set a deadline of 2:00 pm on Monday for the WAEC Head of National Office to appear before them.
This strong response comes amid numerous reports of irregularities and logistical failures during the 2025 West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) across Nigeria, raising concerns over the credibility and integrity of the exam process.
The ongoing crisis puts pressure on WAEC to improve its management and restore public confidence in Nigeria’s critical examination system.
