Reps Demand Full Report on 2025 WAEC Exam Glitches Amid Public Outcry

The House of Representatives Committee on Basic Education Examination Bodies has launched an investigation into the operational setbacks that marred the 2025 West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE), demanding detailed guidelines and a comprehensive report from the West African Examinations Council (WAEC).

The committee’s decision followed a motion moved by Rep. Mary Ibikake (PDP-Bayelsa) during a high-stakes investigative hearing held on Monday in Abuja. The hearing, which drew widespread attention, addressed mounting concerns over logistical and technical glitches experienced by candidates during this year’s exams in several parts of the country.

The disruptions, which included delayed exam scripts, changes in question papers, and late-night exam sittings, led to widespread criticism from parents, education stakeholders, and civil society groups. Several candidates reportedly had to write exams under flashlight, torchlight, and other makeshift conditions due to delays caused by the late distribution of new exam materials.

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Chairman of the Committee, Rep. Oboku Oforji (PDP-Bayelsa), expressed deep concern over the “national embarrassment” caused by the failures. He insisted that WAEC owed the public, particularly the affected students and their parents, a thorough explanation. “The integrity of our national examinations must be safeguarded. We cannot afford to allow such a critical institution to fall short of expectations,” Oforji stated.

Lawmakers Press WAEC for Accountability Over WASSCE Disruptions

WAEC Nigeria’s Head, Dr. Amos Dangut, appeared before the committee and offered an apology to all stakeholders, acknowledging the difficulties candidates experienced. According to Dangut, the disruption stemmed from an urgent need to reprint new exam papers after a breach in exam security led to a leak of original questions.

“To prevent giving any group an undue advantage, we had to swiftly design and print new sets of questions,” Dangut explained. However, he admitted that WAEC’s internal printing press was functioning at only 50% capacity at the time. The council then engaged third-party vendors to assist with printing, which inadvertently led to further breaches and delays in distribution.

The WAEC chief also cited logistical challenges such as the breakdown of distribution vehicles in remote and difficult terrains as contributing factors. “Some vehicles broke down overnight, causing delays. This forced us to resort to distributing materials late into the night, in some cases,” he said.

In response to viral claims on social media suggesting candidates were denied food and basic amenities, Dangut clarified that WAEC officials coordinated with schools and parents to ensure students were attended to. “We collaborated with stakeholders to provide alternative sources of light including rechargeable lamps, torchlights, and even candles for students affected by the delay,” he said.

To prevent a recurrence of such issues, Dangut revealed that WAEC had invested significantly in upgrading its internal printing facilities, with a commitment to ensuring maximum operational capacity going forward. “We are addressing the gaps and strengthening internal controls to avoid future leaks and lapses,” he added.

The committee, however, was not satisfied with just verbal assurances. Rep. Oforji directed WAEC to submit a written report detailing the timeline, nature of the logistical failures, identities of contractors involved, and measures being instituted to improve the system. He also demanded that WAEC provide the guidelines followed for the emergency reprinting and distribution of new exam papers.

“This is not just about WAEC’s reputation; it’s about the trust of millions of Nigerian families. We cannot tolerate a repeat of this chaos,” Oforji warned.

The committee has pledged to continue monitoring WAEC’s operations closely and hinted at possible legislative reforms to regulate and strengthen the conduct of national examinations. There is also an indication that legal action may follow pending the outcome of WAEC’s internal investigations into the exam leak.

For the millions of Nigerian students who sat for the 2025 WASSCE, the events of this examination cycle serve as a harsh reminder of the systemic vulnerabilities within the education sector. The onus now lies on WAEC and oversight bodies to restore confidence in one of the most critical academic milestones in the region.