The House of Representatives Committee on Basic Examination Bodies, on Tuesday, questioned the West African Examination Council Nigeria (WAEC) over a ₦6 billion deficit in 2023 and a ₦5 billion loan obtained in 2022 to purchase customized calculators.
Head of National Office WAEC, Josiah Dangut, was accompanied by other officials, but the committee rejected the submitted cashbook and demanded bank statements from 2018 to present within a week.
One of the committee member, Awaji-Inombek Abiante criticized WAEC for being uncooperative and lacking accountability.
He said, “WAEC Nigeria was an uncooperative witness in this process, shielding and denying Nigerians the value of the country’s investment in that office. They should submit to this committee, in furtherance of this investigation, all the bank account statements of the office.”
The committee demands explanations for:
- ₦34 billion generated in 2023, but ₦40 billion spent.
- Approval of a ₦5 billion loan, exceeding a ministerial board’s authority.
- Number of students who participated in the 2022 examinations for which the ₦5 billion calculators were purchased.
- Details of expenditures leading to the ₦6 billion deficit.
- Correspondence related to the purchase of customized calculators.
- Evidence of approval for the ₦5 billion loan.
The committee has given WAEC one week to provide the requested information.
