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House of Reps Slams WAEC Over 2025 Exam Failures, Demands Urgent Reforms and Full Accountability

Published on Jun 4, 2025 • Education

The House of Representatives Committee on Basic Education and Examination Bodies has strongly criticized the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) for widespread irregularities and operational breakdowns during the 2025 Senior Secondary School Certificate Examination (SSCE).

At an investigative hearing held Monday at the National Assembly in Abuja, lawmakers grilled WAEC’s Head in Nigeria, Dr. Amos Dangut, over the conduct of the examination, describing the lapses as “systemic failures that have eroded public trust” in Nigeria’s examination processes.

Mounting Concerns and National Outrage
The committee’s probe follows widespread complaints from students, parents, and education stakeholders regarding severe logistical disarray, security breaches, and late-night examinations conducted under substandard conditions — including reports of students writing their exams under torchlight and candlelight as late as 11:00 p.m.

“This is not merely a logistical mishap — it is a leadership failure,” declared Hon. Oforji Oboku, Chairman of the Committee and representative of Yenagoa/Opokuma Federal Constituency in Bayelsa State. “It is unacceptable that in 2025, Nigerian students are still being subjected to such indignities.”

Oboku apologized to parents and students on behalf of the committee and pledged a thorough investigation to ensure such failings are never repeated.

Committee Condemns Lack of Preparation, Demands Full Disclosure
Lawmakers expressed frustration over WAEC’s inability to properly manage the 2025 exam cycle and criticized the Council’s lack of adequate preparation despite previous warnings. Tensions peaked during the session when a legislator shouted at Dr. Dangut to "admit failure" and "resign if necessary."

The committee also questioned WAEC’s capacity to transition to computer-based testing (CBT) by 2026, with lawmakers pointing out that many local government areas lack even a single CBT centre.

“You talk of CBT readiness, yet there’s no infrastructure on the ground. That’s not planning; that’s wishful thinking,” Oboku stated.

Reputational Damage and Regional Implications
Lawmakers warned that WAEC’s shortcomings were not just a national issue but had broader implications for Nigeria’s educational reputation across West Africa. Nigeria, they said, must restore credibility to its examination systems to retain its leadership role in regional academic standards.

WAEC’s Defense: Logistical and Security Challenges
In defense, Dr. Dangut attributed the failures to a combination of unforeseen logistical issues and insecurity in certain regions. However, his explanation was repeatedly interrupted and dismissed by committee members who insisted that the challenges were predictable and preventable.

Key Resolutions from the Hearing
By the end of the tense session, the committee passed a number of critical resolutions, including:

Comprehensive Audit: WAEC must submit a detailed audit of its digital infrastructure, especially in underserved and rural areas.

CBT Readiness Plan: A clear and realistic roadmap outlining how WAEC intends to implement CBT nationwide by 2026.

Operational Transparency: The council is mandated to furnish the National Assembly with its full operational guidelines and all internal reports on examination paper leakages.

National Education Summit: The committee also proposed a summit to assess the true state of secondary school infrastructure nationwide.

Final Word from Lawmakers
Chairman Oboku closed the session with a stern warning: “This is a defining moment for our education sector. We must demand competence, transparency, and lasting reform. Education cannot be managed by trial and error. Our children’s future — and indeed the future of our country — is at stake.”

The investigation is ongoing, and WAEC is expected to comply with the committee’s directives in the coming weeks.