National Outrage As House Of Reps Drags WAEC Over Exam Scandal – “Students Deserve Justice

The House of Representatives Committee on Basic Education and Examination Bodies has summoned the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) to urgently address escalating concerns over delays and irregularities in the ongoing 2025 West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE).

The committee, chaired by Hon. Oboku Abonsizibe Oforji, has issued a 24-hour ultimatum for WAEC to appear before it on Friday, May 30, 2025, following the council’s failure to honour an earlier invitation on May 27, 2025.

The 2025 WASSCE began on April 24 and is scheduled to end on June 20, but the English Language paper, which was to hold on May 28, was delayed by several hours at multiple centres across the country. This led to exams being written deep into the night, with students and parents voicing frustration over the disruption.

WAEC attributed the delay to intensified efforts to prevent question leaks, which inadvertently caused logistical setbacks. However, the explanation has done little to quell the outrage, as reports of poor coordination continue to mount.

Speaking on the issue, Hon. Oforji criticized WAEC’s absence at the earlier scheduled hearing, calling it “unacceptable” in light of widespread complaints. He emphasized that the committee has been inundated with troubling reports, including candidates sitting for exams as late as midnight.

“The examination process has been marred by serious irregularities,” Oforji said. “Students are experiencing unnecessary stress. It’s imperative WAEC addresses these lapses and the trauma they’ve caused.”

He further noted the irony in WAEC’s excuse for not attending the hearing—its involvement in the same exams under scrutiny. Oforji warned that failure to appear by the May 30 deadline would compel the House to exercise its constitutional powers.

Clarifying the committee’s position, Oforji stated, “We are not out to witch-hunt WAEC. Our goal is to seek answers that will calm public anxiety and prevent a repeat of these issues. WAEC has conducted exams for decades—this level of disarray is unprecedented and must be corrected.”