Resign When You Are Done’ – Lawmaker Bomb WAEC Head Over Torchlight Exams
The Genius Media Nigeria reports that The House of Representatives Committee on Basic Education and Examination Bodies has condemned the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) over the widespread irregularities and operational failures that plagued the 2025 Senior Secondary School Certificate Examination (SSCE).
During an investigative hearing at the National Assembly on Monday, lawmakers sharply criticised WAEC’s handling of the exam process, accusing the council of systemic lapses that have eroded public trust in Nigeria’s examination system.
The criticisms followed numerous reports of irregularities, logistical issues, security concerns, and poor management during the ongoing examination.
These problems have raised concerns among stakeholders such as parents, students, and education experts, who have called for urgent reforms to restore the integrity of the exam process.
Opening the session, the chairman of the committee, Oforji Oboku (PDP, Yenagoa/Opokuma, Bayelsa State), delivered a scathing rebuke of the council’s performance. Despite the National Assembly not being in session, Oboku commended his colleagues for prioritising the oversight meeting.
“This gathering reflects our collective resolve to restore dignity and credibility to our examination system,” Oboku stated. “On behalf of this committee, I offer an unreserved apology to Nigerian parents, guardians, and candidates who suffered the chaos of the last examination cycle. We are committed to ensuring this never happens again,” he added.
Oboku recalled a previous meeting with WAEC on May 30, where disturbing revelations were made regarding the treatment of students during the exams. According to reports, students at several centres were forced to sit for their exams under extreme conditions, including late-night sessions illuminated only by torchlight.
“It is unacceptable that in 2025, students are sitting for exams at 11 pm under torchlight. This is not just a failure of logistics, it is a failure of leadership,” Oboku said, calling the situation “appalling.”
While emphasising that the committee’s investigation was not meant to be a witch-hunt, the Bayelsa lawmaker expressed the need to identify the root causes of WAEC’s inefficiencies and hold the responsible parties accountable.
As the session continued, the lawmakers voiced their anger over what they described as WAEC’s habitual negligence and lack of preparation. At one point, an unidentified lawmaker shouted, “Admit your failure to the Nigerian people. If you need to cry, go ahead. But when you’re done, tender your resignation.”
Lawmakers also criticised the Head of WAEC, Dr. Amos Dangut, for his claim that the council would roll out computer-based testing (CBT) centres nationwide by 2026.
