The West African Examinations Council (WAEC) has come under intense scrutiny following multiple irregularities and widespread complaints in the conduct of the ongoing 2025 West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE). The House of Representatives Committee on Basic Education and Examination Bodies has now issued a stern 24-hour ultimatum to WAEC to appear before it and provide explanations.
TJ News Nigeria reports that the Committee, chaired by Hon. Oboku Abonsizibe Oforji, issued the summon after WAEC failed to honour a previous invitation dated May 27, 2025. This new summon mandates WAEC to appear before lawmakers on Friday, May 30, 2025, or face potential constitutional sanctions.
Summary of Allegations Against WAEC
The key issues prompting the summons include:
- Delayed start of examinations, notably the English Language paper on May 28
- Late-night examination sessions at several centres across Nigeria
- Logistical disorganization attributed to WAEC’s anti-leakage policies
- Psychological stress imposed on candidates and their guardians
These developments, which have since sparked nationwide criticism, have now reached the legislative corridors of power.
Exam Delays Raise Public Concern
The 2025 WASSCE commenced on April 24, 2025, and is expected to end by June 20, 2025. However, the smooth flow of the examination has been hampered by avoidable delays, particularly the May 28 English Language exam, which reportedly started late at several exam centres, forcing students to stay as late as midnight.
TJ News Nigeria learned that some candidates waited for hours in exam halls under poor lighting conditions, with no clear communication from WAEC supervisors. This chaotic arrangement has prompted outrage from parents, school administrators, and civil society groups.
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House Committee’s Outrage and Ultimatum
Committee Chair Hon. Oboku Abonsizibe Oforji did not mince words during the emergency briefing held at the National Assembly. He criticized WAEC’s failure to honour its initial invitation and labelled the excuse—that officials were “too engaged with exam operations”—as unacceptable.
“WAEC has been conducting exams for decades, and we have never experienced this level of disorganization. Something is wrong, and it must be addressed,” Oforji said.
He further condemned the traumatic experiences faced by students, stating:
“We’ve received reports of students writing exams as late as midnight in some centres across the country. This is totally unacceptable. The lives and sanity of our young ones are at stake.”
WAEC’s Response and Logistical Dilemma
In a brief statement released earlier in the week, WAEC’s Public Affairs Department acknowledged the examination delays and attributed the chaos to new logistics strategies aimed at curbing question paper leakage. The council said its efforts to protect the integrity of the exam inadvertently caused bottlenecks in question delivery and invigilation.
However, TJ News Nigeria gathered that stakeholders are unconvinced by this explanation. Many argue that the Council could have implemented better logistical measures without compromising candidate welfare.
Legislative Options on the Table
Hon. Oforji hinted that failure to comply with the latest summon could trigger Section 88 and 89 of the Nigerian Constitution, which empower the House of Representatives to compel attendance and penalize agencies that refuse legislative oversight.
“If WAEC fails to appear as directed, we may have no option but to invoke constitutional measures. This is not a witch-hunt. It’s about protecting the future of our children and restoring public confidence in WAEC,” he emphasized.
Stakeholder Reactions
Parents and Students
Parents across Nigeria have expressed dissatisfaction and fear over the ordeal. A parent in Delta State told TJ News Nigeria:
“My daughter didn’t get home until 11:45 p.m. after the English paper. She was exhausted, traumatized, and confused. This isn’t how national exams should be handled.”
Education Experts
Education policy analysts have weighed in, urging WAEC to embrace digital modernization and real-time logistics monitoring to avoid future crises.
Dr. Abimbola Thomas, a public education analyst, said:
“WAEC needs to partner with state education ministries to ensure timely and secured paper delivery. These issues expose systemic flaws that must be fixed before the next exam cycle.”
What This Means for Future WAEC Exams
TJ News Nigeria observes that the outcome of WAEC’s appearance before the House Committee may set a precedent for stricter oversight of examination bodies in Nigeria. If the Council fails to offer satisfactory answers or reforms, it could face:
- Operational audits
- Legislative sanctions
- Policy restructuring mandates
- Funding reconsideration in subsequent budgetary provisions
Call for Institutional Accountability
Lawmakers are emphasizing the need for transparency and institutional accountability. The chaos that marred the 2025 WASSCE has revealed underlying cracks in WAEC’s logistics framework, prompting renewed calls for:
- Digital exam management
- Stakeholder consultations
- Emergency response mechanisms
- Better training for supervisors and invigilators
Next Steps
WAEC is expected to appear before the House Committee on Friday, May 30, 2025, to give detailed responses and possibly outline corrective actions.
Should the Council honour this invitation, it will have an opportunity to clarify its position, offer apologies to the public, and commit to future improvements.
Failure to do so, however, may escalate the matter to the plenary session of the House of Representatives, drawing national and international attention.
Final Thoughts
As the 2025 WASSCE progresses, the spotlight remains firmly on WAEC. The Council must now rise to the occasion by not only explaining the causes of its failings but also by proposing transparent reforms that will restore public trust.
TJ News Nigeria will continue to monitor this story and provide real-time updates as events unfold at the National Assembly.
For more verified news on education, politics, and national affairs, stay connected to TJ News Nigeria.
Reporting by Omajemite Don
Additional reporting by Enioluwa Adeniyi
