The House of Representatives’ Committee on Basic Examination Bodies in Nigeria has directed the West African Examination Council (WAEC) to account for how it spent N40 billion in 2023 despite generating only N34 billion in revenue. During an investigative hearing in Abuja on Tuesday, the committee issued a one-week ultimatum for WAEC to submit its bank statements from 2018 to 2023.
The inquiry was prompted by a N6 billion deficit incurred by the council in 2023. The committee also questioned WAEC about a N5 billion loan it secured in 2022 to purchase customized calculators.
Hon. Awaji-Inombek Abiante (PDP, Rivers) criticized WAEC’s lack of cooperation, stating, “WAEC Nigeria was an uncooperative witness in this process, shielding and denying Nigerians of having value for whatever investment the country has had in that office.” He demanded that the examination body submit all bank statements to facilitate the investigation.
The committee’s chairman, Hon. Oboku Oforji, expressed concern over the approval of the N5 billion loan, noting that even a ministerial board could not approve such an amount. The committee has requested documentation to justify the expenditures that led to the N6 billion deficit, as well as evidence of the loan approval and due process in awarding the contract for the calculators.
WAEC was also questioned for allegedly violating financial regulations by paying 50 percent of the contract sum for the construction of its Taraba State office, worth N532 million, in advance. WAEC’s head in Nigeria, Josiah Dangut, asked for more time to provide the requested documents, explaining that the advance payment was made to mitigate inflationary costs.
Chairman Oforji clarified that the committee’s actions were not a witch hunt but a constitutional obligation, emphasizing the need for WAEC’s full cooperation. “Both the legislative house and WAEC are bound by the Constitution. As such, the committee expects full cooperation from WAEC, including the timely provision of all necessary documents to expedite our inquiry and report,” Oforji said.
