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 on Friday, May 30, 2025, following the examination body's failure to honor an earlier invitation.

The committee, chaired by Oboku Abonsizibe Oforji, is demanding explanations for widespread irregularities reported in the ongoing Senior School Certificate Examination (SSCE) across Nigeria.

According to Oforji, WAEC was initially invited on Tuesday, May 27, 2025, to address serious concerns about the examination process but failed to appear at the scheduled hearing on Thursday, May 29.

Midnight Examinations and Other Irregularities

The committee expressed particular concern over reports that students in some examination centers across the country were writing papers as late as midnight, causing significant distress to candidates.

"The examinations have been riddled with serious irregularities. We've received reports of students writing exams as late as midnight in some centres across the country," Oforji stated.

He added, "The House deemed it necessary to summon WAEC to explain these developments and the trauma candidates are currently facing. Ironically, WAEC responded this morning, saying they couldn't appear due to their involvement in the exams. But that is precisely why we need them here."

WAEC's Response and Potential Consequences

WAEC reportedly sent a response on Thursday morning explaining that they could not attend the hearing due to their ongoing involvement with the examination process. The committee chairman described this excuse as unacceptable given the gravity of the situation.

Oforji warned that if WAEC fails to appear on Friday as directed, the House would not hesitate to invoke its constitutional powers to compel compliance.

This development comes amid multiple reports of examination challenges across several states. Recent incidents include students writing WAEC examinations at night in Taraba State and a school building collapse during a WAEC examination session, also in Taraba, where students narrowly escaped death.

The committee's intervention reflects growing concerns about the administration of national examinations and their impact on students' welfare and educational outcomes.