Outrage as Reps Slam Midnight WAEC Exams — Call for Urgent Investigation!
Following alarming claims that certain students in parts of Nigeria were forced to take their West African Senior School Certificate Examinations (WASSCE) at midnight, the House of Representatives opened an investigation into the West African Examinations Council (WAEC).
Hon. Oboku Oforji, the chairman of the House Committee on Basic Examination Bodies, called the incident a “gross failure of responsibility,” claiming that Nigerian students’ safety and psychological health had been carelessly jeopardized.
Exams were said to start at roughly 12:00 a.m. in Jalingo, for example. This is not acceptable. At a meeting with WAEC authorities at the National Assembly, Oforji stated, “The emotional trauma inflicted on these students is unimaginable.”
“As stakeholders, we owe it to the public to make sure that such incidents never happen again.”
Following several complaints of hazardous and erratic exam schedules, including instances when students were purportedly writing exams in the middle of the night—conditions lawmakers referred to as “inhumane and indefensible”—the committee called in WAEC’s leadership.
Ambrose Okelezo, Senior Assistant Registrar and Zonal Coordinator, represented the Council at the hearing in place of the Head of WAEC’s National Office, who was missing due to an emergency meeting with WAEC’s top leadership. In order for the WAEC Head to personally address the accusations, Okelezo requested that the hearing be rescheduled.
Lawmakers, however, fiercely opposed his request, interpreting the absence as a slight against the National Assembly’s oversight power.
“He just acknowledged that he is incompetent to speak to us. Why is he still here, then? questioned PDP-Rivers’ Hon. Awaji-Inombek Abiante. Students were compelled to take tests between 12 and 1 a.m. in my village, which lacks power, and they called me in anguish. Exam papers were even left in a tricycle, or keke, that was utilized for passenger transportation. It is dishonorable.
Similar indignation was voiced by Hon. Billy Osawaru (PDP–Edo), who called WAEC’s handling of the situation “shocking” and demanded complete accountability.
“This is more than just a scheduling conflict. Osawaru said, “This is a systemic failure that verges on negligence.”
He then made a motion to postpone the hearing until WAEC’s head could personally address the committee, which Abiante seconded. Lawmakers unanimously approved the proposal and issued a warning that they would not stand for any more attempts to avoid responsibility.
The Committee promised to address what it called “a national embarrassment” and decided to meet again on Monday, June 2, 2025, at 2:00 p.m.
“Parents are entitled to answers. Oforji came to the conclusion that Nigerian children deserved better.
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