House of Reps Summons WAEC Over SSCE Irregularities, Demands Urgent Answers
The House of Representatives Committee on Basic Education has issued a stern 24-hour ultimatum to the West African Examinations Council (WAEC), demanding the exam body appear before it by Friday, May 30, 2025. The committee’s urgency follows a wave of disturbing reports surrounding the ongoing Senior School Certificate Examination (SSCE).
Why This Matters
From students writing exams at midnight to poor coordination across centres, the SSCE 2025 has triggered public outrage. The committee says it’s no longer accepting excuses—and wants real answers.
Missed Meeting Deepens Concern
WAEC was originally scheduled to appear before the committee on Tuesday, May 27, but failed to show up. Instead, the exam body responded that its officials were too occupied with supervising the SSCE.
That response only worsened the committee’s frustration.
“The same examinations causing problems are the reason we need them here,” said Hon. Oboku Abonsizibe Oforji, Chairman of the Committee on Basic Education.
He described WAEC’s absence as unacceptable and said it sends the wrong message at a time when public confidence in the process is already shaken.
Disturbing Reports: Students Sitting Exams at Midnight?
During the committee briefing, Hon. Oforji raised serious concerns over field reports indicating that students in some centres were forced to write exams late into the night, in some cases until midnight.
“It’s not just disorganised. It’s traumatic for these young people,” he stated.
“WAEC has conducted these exams for decades. So, what went wrong this year?”
These reports suggest a level of mismanagement that lawmakers say must be urgently addressed—not just for this exam cycle, but to prevent a repeat in future ones.
Lawmakers Demand Immediate Action
Although the committee insists it is not out to witch-hunt WAEC, it has made clear that accountability is non-negotiable. Hon. Oforji warned that failure to appear on Friday will trigger legal consequences, including the possible use of House powers to compel compliance.
“This is no longer a request. It’s an obligation,” he said.
“We are here to protect the integrity of Nigeria’s education system.”
What Comes Next?
With the clock ticking, WAEC’s next move will be closely watched. Beyond appearances, stakeholders—especially students, parents, and educators—are demanding clear solutions, not just apologies.
Bottom line: The 2025 SSCE has exposed cracks in the system. Lawmakers want to know how deep those cracks go—and how fast they can be sealed.
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