The House of Representatives Committee on Basic Education in Nigeria has rejected a delegation from the West African Examinations Council (WAEC), insisting that only the council’s Head of National Office can address concerns over recent exam irregularities.
On Friday, a team led by Senior Assistant Registrar Ambrose Okelezo appeared before the committee, but lawmakers said he was not authorised to respond to the ongoing crisis surrounding WAEC’s 2024 examinations.
Lawmakers were visibly upset about reports of students writing exams at midnight and question papers being handled by commercial drivers. Committee Chairman Oforji Oboku apologised to parents for what he described as “unpalatable and embarrassing incidents.”
“In Jalingo, exams started at midnight. The trauma these children faced is unimaginable,” Oboku said. “WAEC must organise exams properly, especially since the government funds them. We want answers, not excuses.”
The WAEC team explained that the Head of National Office was occupied with supervising exam printing and would be available on Monday. However, the committee rejected the explanation and gave WAEC 24 hours to comply, demanding the Head appear by 2 p.m. on Monday.
Lawmakers expressed deep frustration. Hon. Awaji Abiante criticised the delegation, saying, “In my village, exams were written at 12 a.m. or 1 a.m., and the question papers were even left with commercial drivers. This is sheer incompetence.”
Abiante also raised concerns over WAEC’s planned shift to computer-based testing, questioning how poorly equipped schools would manage.
Despite the tensions, the committee agreed to await the appearance of WAEC’s top official on Monday. Hon. Pascal Agbodike noted, “Education is too important. We must wait for the Head to speak.”
The House made it clear that WAEC’s leadership must provide full accountability for the exam mishaps before any further discussions take place.