House Of Reps Summons WAEC Over Midnight Papers

The House of Representatives Committee on Basic Education and Examination Bodies has invited the West African Examinations Council, WAEC, to provide explanations over widespread complaints and irregularities observed during the examinations.

Amid the backlash and outrage over the conduct of the 2025 WAEC exams, the House of Representatives issued a 24-hour ultimatum to appear before it.

The ultimatum was issued by the Chairman of the House Committee on Basic Education and Examination Bodies, Oboku Abonsizibe Oforji.

This, it was noted, would ensure that the council addresses concerns raised regarding the ongoing Senior School Certificate Examination (SSCE).

Oforji explained that the committee extended an invitation to WAEC on Tuesday, May 27, 2025, seeking clarification on various issues disrupting the conduct of the exams across the country.

He expressed disappointment at WAEC’s absence during the scheduled hearing on Thursday, May 29, describing it as unacceptable.

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“The examination has been riddled with serious irregularities. We’ve received reports of students writing exams as late as midnight in some centres across the country.”

“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 said.

“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 disorganisation.”

“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,” Oforji added.

Earlier, in a statement issued by Moyosola Adesina, Acting Head of the Public Affairs Department of WAEC, the council admitted that there were operational challenges that disrupted the timely distribution of examination materials.

The statement read: “While maintaining the integrity and security of our examination, we faced considerable challenges primarily due to our major aim of preventing leakage of any paper.”

“We recognise the importance of timely conduct of examinations and the impact of this decision on candidates, their schools and parents, and we sincerely apologise for any inconveniences caused.”

Despite our best efforts, we encountered logistical hurdles, security concerns, and socio-cultural factors that negatively influenced our operations,” WAEC added.

It was gathered that WAEC explained the reason behind the logistics delay that forced candidates to write the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) at night.

The body stated its position in a statement by the Head of the Nigeria National Office of WAEC, Amos Dangut, while speaking on Channels TV.

Dangut said the examination body gathered that the paper to be taken on Wednesday was about to be compromised, hence the need to take immediate action.

Many had raised concerns after videos showed secondary school students in Taraba State in the North-East and Ogun State in the South-West sitting for WASSCE at night on Wednesday.

Nigerians have expressed outrage and disappointment over the conduct of WAEC, particularly the situations in which students were kept up until midnight, using candles to write examinations.