The House of Representatives Committee on Basic Examination Bodies held a tense investigative hearing on Tuesday, interrogating Mr. Josiah Dangut, Head of the National Office of the West African Examination Council (WAEC) Nigeria, along with other top officials from the agency. The session was centered around significant financial discrepancies reported by WAEC, including a substantial deficit and a controversial loan.
The Committee, led by Hon. Oboku Oforji, focused on two major issues: a reported N6 billion deficit for the 2023 financial year and a N5 billion loan secured in 2022 for the purchase of customized calculators. During the hearing, the Committee demanded that WAEC submit all its bank statements from 2018 to the present to provide a clearer picture of the agency’s financial activities.
WAEC’s representatives, including Registrar Angus Okeleze, Senior Deputy Registrar Victor Odu, Acting Director of Finance Segun Jerumeh, and Deputy Director of Finance, were criticized for their lack of cooperation. The Committee rejected the cash book submitted by WAEC, insisting on the bank statements for a more comprehensive review.
Committee member Hon. Awaji-Inombek Abiante expressed frustration with WAEC’s lack of transparency. He accused the agency of obstructing the investigation and failing to provide the necessary documents. “WAEC Nigeria has been uncooperative throughout this process, obstructing transparency and denying Nigerians the full value of their investments,” Abiante said.
The Committee also questioned how WAEC, which generated N34 billion in 2023, reported expenditures of N40 billion. Concerns were raised about the approval process for the N5 billion loan, with the Committee Chairman noting that such an amount would typically require approval from a Ministerial Board. Additionally, the Committee sought clarification on the number of students who benefited from the calculators procured with the loan.
The Committee has given WAEC a one-week deadline to submit detailed information regarding the expenditures leading to the N6 billion deficit. This includes all correspondence related to the procurement of the customized calculators. Furthermore, WAEC is required to provide evidence of the approval for the N5 billion loan, including payment vouchers and relevant bank records.
The Committee also requested documentation related to account submissions to the Auditor General for the Federation from 2018 to 2023, along with the profile of the external auditor and engagement letters for the past three years.
The hearing also addressed potential breaches of financial regulations, public procurement laws, and the Financial Regulations Act. Specifically, the Committee questioned WAEC’s payment of 50 percent of a N532 million contract for constructing its Taraba State office.
In response to these issues, Dangut requested an alternative date to present the required documents, citing the need for more time to compile the information. He also explained that the 50 percent payment for the Taraba office contract was made to avoid the effects of inflation.
Despite the tensions, the Committee Chairman emphasized that the investigation is not aimed at witch-hunting but is focused on fulfilling constitutional duties. “Both the legislative house and WAEC are bound by the Constitution. Therefore, the Committee expects full cooperation from WAEC, including the prompt submission of all necessary documents to facilitate our inquiry and report,” he stated.
