House Committee Investigates WAEC Over N6bn Deficit, Controversial N5bn Loan

Mr. Josiah Dangut, Head of the National Office of the West African Examination Council (WAEC) Nigeria, and other officials were interrogated by Nigeria’s Federal House of Representatives Committee on Basic Examination Bodies on Tuesday about significant financial discrepancies within the agency.

The grilling session, which took place in the National Assembly, focused on WAEC’s N6 billion deficit in the fiscal year 2023 and a N5 billion loan secured in 2022 for the purchase of customised calculators.

During an investigation in Abuja, the House of Representatives Committee, chaired by Hon. Oboku Oforji, ordered the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) to submit all bank statements from 2018 to the present.

The Committee issued this directive after being dissatisfied with the responses provided by WAEC representatives. WAEC has a one-week deadline to comply.

The West African Examinations Council (WAEC) submitted a cash book to the Committee, but it was rejected because the Committee requested bank statements for a more thorough review. During the hearing, Committee member Hon. Awaji-Inombek Abiante criticised WAEC’s lack of cooperation, emphasising the importance of holding the Council accountable.

He stated, “WAEC Nigeria has been an uncooperative witness throughout this process, obstructing transparency and denying Nigerians the full value of their investments. “The agency must submit all of its bank account statements to this committee for a thorough investigation.”

The Committee expressed concern about WAEC’s failure to submit eight requested documents related to the investigation of its spending.

The Committee Chairman also questioned how WAEC managed to generate N34 billion in 2023 while reporting expenditures of N40 billion. He was also sceptical of the approval of a N5 billion loan for customised calculators, pointing out that such a sum would normally require the approval of a Ministerial Board. Furthermore, the Chairman asked the WAEC Head to clarify the number of students who took the 2022 exams for which the calculators were purchased.

The Committee has requested that the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) provide detailed information on the expenditures that led to the N6 billion deficit. This includes all correspondence regarding the purchase of customised calculators.

Furthermore, the Committee has demanded evidence of approval for the N5 billion loan, as well as documentation demonstrating that due process was followed in awarding the contract. This should include payment vouchers and any relevant bank records.

The Committee also requested documentation on the Federation’s account submissions to the Auditor General from 2018 to 2023, as well as the external auditor’s profile and copies of engagement letters from the previous three years.

Additionally, the Committee expressed concern about WAEC’s potential violations of financial regulations, public procurement laws, and the Financial Regulations Act. Specifically, the Committee questioned WAEC’s payment of 50% of the N532 million contract for the construction of its Taraba office.

However, the WAEC Boss requested an alternate date to present the statement of accounts and other relevant documents.

In response, the Committee Chairman emphasised that the Committee on Basic Education and Examination Bodies is not engaged in witch-hunting but is committed to carrying out its constitutional duties.

He stated that “both the legislative house and WAEC are bound by the Constitution.” As a result, the committee expects full cooperation from WAEC, including the timely submission of all necessary documents to facilitate our investigation and report.”