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 and address growing concerns about irregularities in the ongoing Senior School Certificate Examination (SSCE).
Chairman of the Committee, Hon. Oboku Abonsizibe Oforji, made the announcement in a statement released on Thursday, expressing the Committee’s deep dissatisfaction over WAEC’s failure to honour an earlier invitation to appear at a scheduled hearing on May 29, 2025.
According to Oforji, the invitation had been sent two days prior, on Tuesday, May 27, following mounting public complaints about the credibility and conduct of this year’s exams. He noted that WAEC failed to attend the hearing without offering any explanation.
“The Committee is deeply concerned by widespread irregularities reported across examination centres,” Oforji said. “We’ve received disturbing accounts of students sitting for exams as late as midnight in some locations. This is completely unacceptable.”
The lawmaker criticised WAEC’s absence, describing it as a serious lapse, particularly at a time when the integrity of national examinations is under scrutiny.
In light of WAEC’s failure to respond, the Committee has now directed the examination body to appear within 24 hours or face further legislative action.
WAEC has yet to issue a response to the ultimatum as of press time. The situation comes amid broader concerns about exam malpractice, delays, and poor examination conditions across the country.
