WAEC has been given 24-hours ultimatum to appear before the committee over observed irregularities in the ongoing exams
The House of Representatives Committee on Basic Education and Examination Bodies has issued a 24-hour ultimatum to the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) to appear before it on Friday, May 30, 2025 over widespread concerns regarding the ongoing Senior School Certificate Examination (SSCE).
The 2025 West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) for secondary schools began on April 24 and is expected to end on June 20, 2025.
However the English paper slated for May 28 was conducted several hours behind schedule. As a result, many students were forced to write the exam late into the night, expressing frustration over the prolonged wait.
The West African Examinations Council (WAEC) acknowledged the delays, attributing them to logistical challenges arising from heightened efforts to prevent question leaks.
Parliament Reports recalls that the Joint Admission Matriculation Board (JAMB) earlier in May came under strong criticism over the technical glitches experience during the conduct of it’s exams that let to students mass failure.
Chairman of the Committee, Hon. Oboku Abonsizibe Oforji, issued the directive on Thursday after WAEC failed to honour an earlier invitation to explain reported irregularities in the conduct of the national exams.
Oforji noted that the committee had invited WAEC as far back as Tuesday, May 27, 2025, to clarify several disturbing issues disrupting the examination process across the country.
He expressed deep disappointment over WAEC’s absence at the Thursday hearing, describing it as unacceptable in light of the serious public concerns surrounding the exams.
“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.
He continued: “The House felt it necessary to summon WAEC to explain these developments and the trauma candidates are currently facing. However, WAEC responded this morning, saying they couldn’t appear due to their involvement in the ongoing exams. Ironically, this is the very reason we are asking them to appear.”
Oforji stressed that the Committee expects WAEC to appear without fail on Friday, warning that failure to comply would force the lawmakers to invoke the constitutional powers of the House to ensure accountability.
“Our intention is not to witch-hunt WAEC but to seek answers that will calm public tension and prevent a recurrence of these challenges. WAEC has been conducting exams for decades, and we have never experienced this level of disorganization,” he said.
He added: “Something is clearly wrong, and it must be addressed. The Committee has therefore resolved that WAEC must appear unfailingly on Friday, May 30, 2025, or face legislative sanctions in accordance with the powers vested in us by the Constitution.”
The ultimatum comes amid mounting pressure from stakeholders, including parents, students, and civil society groups, who have raised alarm over delays, poor coordination, and alleged malpractice in several examination centres nationwide.
