House of Reps Issues 24-Hour Ultimatum to WAEC Over SSCE Irregularities

The House of Representatives Committee on Basic Education and Examination Bodies has issued a stern 24-hour ultimatum to the West African Examinations Council (WAEC), demanding the examination body appear before it on Friday, May 30, 2025. This directive follows WAEC’s failure to honour an earlier invitation to address growing public concerns over irregularities in the ongoing Senior School Certificate Examination (SSCE).

Chairman of the Committee, Hon. Oboku Abonsizibe Oforji, made the announcement on Thursday, expressing dismay over WAEC’s non-appearance during a scheduled session meant to clarify several disturbing reports regarding the conduct of the national examination.

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Alarming Reports of Examination Chaos

According to Hon. Oforji, the Committee had originally summoned WAEC on Tuesday, May 27, 2025, to respond to mounting complaints from across the country. Reports submitted to the House include instances of students sitting for exams well into the night, with some examinations reportedly taking place as late as midnight in certain centres.

“The examinations have been riddled with serious irregularities. We’ve received reports of students writing exams as late as midnight in some centres across the country,” Oforji stated, describing the situation as both unprecedented and distressing.

He emphasized that the House had called on WAEC specifically to provide insight into these anomalies and explain the logistical failures and mismanagement that have led to widespread confusion and trauma among candidates.

“It is ironic that WAEC said they couldn’t appear due to their involvement in administering these exams,” he added. “That is precisely why they need to be here—to provide explanations, address these complaints, and assure Nigerians that such disorganization will not happen again.”

House Committee Demands Accountability

Oforji made it clear that the committee was not on a mission to antagonize or witch-hunt WAEC. Rather, the House seeks transparency and solutions to avert further disruption in Nigeria’s education system. He stated that the examination body, which has been conducting standardized tests for decades, must be held accountable for what he described as an alarming decline in the quality of its operations.

“Our concern is with the welfare of the students, the integrity of the examination process, and the peace of mind of parents and teachers alike,” he explained.

He further warned that failure by WAEC to appear before the House on Friday would trigger legislative actions, including the potential use of constitutional powers to compel compliance.

“WAEC must appear unfailingly on Friday, May 30, 2025, or face legislative sanctions as provided by the Constitution,” Oforji warned.

Fallout of Missed Hearing

WAEC’s absence on Thursday has sparked outrage among lawmakers and stakeholders in the education sector, with many viewing it as a show of disregard for institutional oversight. The examination body had reportedly sent a last-minute response citing ongoing exam activities as its reason for non-attendance—a justification the Committee found insufficient given the gravity of public concern.

Stakeholders have expressed frustration over the chaos characterizing this year’s SSCE, which has seen exam schedules repeatedly shifted and centres overwhelmed by logistical failures. Several school administrators have described the situation as a national embarrassment, with potential long-term consequences for the credibility of Nigeria’s examination standards.

Education rights advocates have welcomed the Committee’s move, stating that it highlights the urgent need for a comprehensive overhaul of examination logistics in Nigeria. Some groups have also called for greater investment in digital systems, improved supervision, and transparent communication channels between examination bodies and the public.

“It is no longer acceptable for our children to suffer due to systemic inefficiencies,” said one education advocate. “WAEC must be transparent and accountable if it hopes to maintain the trust of millions of Nigerian students and families.”

As the deadline approaches, public expectations remain high. The House of Representatives Committee is poised to enforce strict measures if WAEC fails to appear and offer the clarity and accountability it owes the nation.