By Peter Onyekachukwu 
By Peter Onyekachukwu
Amid growing public outrage over widespread irregularities in the ongoing West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE), 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.
This follows WAEC’s failure to honour an earlier invitation by the committee to provide explanations for disturbing reports emerging from various examination centres nationwide.
Chairman of the committee, Hon. Oboku Abonsizibe Oforji, expressed dismay over WAEC’s absence at a scheduled hearing on Thursday, May 29, despite being duly invited two days earlier.
“We are shocked and disappointed by WAEC’s refusal to show up. This is a critical national issue. We’re getting reports that some candidates are writing exams as late as midnight in certain centres. That’s completely unacceptable,” Oforji stated.
He noted that the committee’s invitation was not an attack on WAEC, but a move to address the fears and concerns of millions of Nigerian families whose children are currently sitting for the exam.
“Our duty is to ensure that Nigerian students are not subjected to unnecessary stress or trauma. WAEC says they are busy conducting exams—that is exactly why we need them here. This level of disorganisation is unprecedented,” he added.
The lawmaker warned that should WAEC fail to appear on the newly scheduled date, the House would be left with no option but to exercise its constitutional powers to compel compliance.
“This is not about politics; it’s about accountability and protecting the integrity of our education system. WAEC must come forward to explain what went wrong and how they plan to rectify the situation,” he said.
WAEC has been conducting exams in Nigeria for decades, but this year’s edition has been marred by logistical failures, poor coordination, and distressing experiences reported by students and parents alike. The committee says it wants concrete answers—and fast.